Konnichi wa! *sidesteps to the left of the path of a ten ton anvil; 
dodges the nuclear missile* I'm really, REALLY, *extremely* sorry! Don't kill 
me! True I'm a just a *little* bit behind than I planned, but school was more 
than I expected. (sigh) Not a lot of people would care anyway, 'cause I don't 
think like my story... which I don't blame them. Probably because I take way too 
long to write. Sorry. Oh well... This part is just moving the story along, 
nothing really exciting yet. Still, if there anything I forgot to explain, or 
you think I made a mistake somewhere, then e-mail me at 
ironic_balance@hotmail.com. I hafta explain to ya though, I write in a very 
discoordinated manner. It goes something like this: write beginning, skip to 
near the end, write more of the beginning, start on the lower half of the 
middle, write end, finish beginning, finish middle. It doesn't look too choppy, 
does it? ^^;; Jerky yes, but choppy and disconnected no.
      Again, I have only the bare bones of Street Fighter, so if you're hoping 
to get some true information from this thing, it's not possible. In fact, I 
think I may be twisting up the general idea... I'm too lazy right now to be 
checking up on Street Fighter... I only saw an American dubbed Street Fighter 
movie... Why am I using Street Fighter if I don't know what I'm doing? I just 
want to! If you have a better clue than I do, please e-mail me with the 
suggestions or comments along with any flames. Also, I interface what the scouts 
and attacks are like from both the anime and the manga, so it's slightly off. On 
a personal question, do you think my writing gets worse and worse or is it just 
me? Well, as before, the italic thing doesn't comprehend on plain text, so I 
can't show you where they're thinking. It should be when it starts going 'I'... 
The marks < and > mean telepathy, okay?
    Legally Sailormoon and its respective characters don't belong to me, so 
don't sue me, thinking I'm trying to hijack someone else's brilliant work. The 
other character not associated with Sailormoon and Street Fighter ARE mine 
though! I think this is rate PG 13 now, probably, with all the language
    I really appreciate the people who have actually taken an interest in *my* 
writing for looking at it yet again, through all my faults and 
tardiness...*sniffles* I apologize for the confusion and inconvenience again.  
If you're wondering just why did I spend roughly six hours this morning on 
November 14th, to finish Part Three when I slacked my behind off for four 
months, you have Psycho-chan to thank. It's her birhtday tomorrow, but her 
party's today, so: HAPPY BIRTHDAY PSYCHO-CHAN!!!! Arigato for reading this long 
note! ^_~ Cassi aka Ironic Balance


Yield Unto Thyself: Part Three


         Usagi barely registered the small group of delinquents as they dove 
away from her.  She dismissed them easily, though she would have been worried 
about their interferrence before the transformation. She was more preoccupied 
with the deluge of information and power circulating inside her overflowing 
mind. Dimly she picked up the fallen locket, shuddering slightly.
         Kami, I  knew so much stuff? Ow! How could I have stood it?  She tried 
to sort more things out. Arrgh. First things first. I think I'm like spilling energy all over the place. I gotta have something on shields or something! She 
shook her head and desperately focused. Um, hey. I think I'm can twist this 
piece of something right here... A mental click seemed to snap into place, the 
effect was something like as if someone had thrown a light blanket over her, 
enveloping her tightly. 
         Geez, Usagi thought as she got over her startlement. I hope I can make 
this more comfortable later. Then she flinched, energy resonace waves surging 
over her now delicate awareness. Even with the current preoccupied state of her 
mind she identified it. The Sailor senshi! she recognized with a flash of 
bitterness. Of course, they are connected to me and must have felt something was 
wrong! I wonder if this means any other energy sensitive person felt this... 
hmmm... never mind that! What am I doing standing here trying to figure 
something out! I gotta go! Baka! Wait, maybe I could figure out the effects of 
my transformation later... um, I just save this data somewhere in my mind. What 
am I doing? Uh, forget it. I'll figure it out later. Something tenious like a 
slender thread of space unraveled and linked to her aura, which Usagi now could 
see quite clearly.  I think I got it. Now, how do I get out of here? A thought 
struck her. Teleportation? I haven't tried that for a long time though...alone 
anyway, with nearly zero resources. She felt the presence of great powers 
nearing. But then I can't afford to get caught either. She abruptly decided. 
         Here goes nothing. She took up on the idea she was at home, safe and 
sound and definitely not in the darkness of the shadows in the park. Then she 
reached out and seemed to bridge something... A brief crackle and she 
disappeared soundlessly without a trace.

         "See anything?" Pluto asked Neptune who was gazing into her tailsman, 
the Aqua mirror, as the entire group of senshi raced over to 'the' park.  
         "Iie," Neptune replied, gracefully leaping over a car," Nothing yet. 
Perhaps it's something else, not Usagi. I'm sure I could've seen her in the 
mirror."
          "Our powers have been known to malfunction before though," Mercury 
said sardonically, running up with them and keeping pace.
         Pluto blinked. "Mercury, do you think it's Usagi?" 
         Mercury was silent, "I don't know. Considering what we've done and the 
powers she possesses... I don't know, that's all I have to say." Mercury sped up 
and leap away from them, catching up with the rest of the inner senshi who were 
pushing ahead of them.
        The outer duo ran quietly for a moment. "Pluto," Neptne said suddenly, 
her voice seeming to resound through the air, "Do you think she's right? Maybe 
we were a little hard on Usagi..."
         Pluto solemnly considered. "Iie," she said slowly, "Not really, for the 
safeguards of the future... iie. We did precisely what we needed to do." 
         They went on. As they were close enough to actually see the park, Pluto 
grugdingly admitted, "Although we probably could have broken it to her more 
gently... I don't know what got into us. It's like I zoned out..."

         Within the Tsukino household a violent discharge of light fanned out in 
an explosion of silver beams. "Whoa," Usagi gasped, abruptly sitting down hard 
on the carpeted floor of her parent's living room. "I mean, whoa." Icy 
pricklings danced along her nerves, stinging like icy needles into her flesh. 
She shook uncontrollably, trembling like a leaf in high winds. She gritted her 
teeth. "Look at the bright side," she said sarcastically to herself, "I made it 
here in one piece." She doubled over in agony, a sickeningly feeling stuck in 
her stomach. Pain burned in her body, protesting with every move. "I think I 
might want to practice before I do long distance teleportation next time," Usagi 
muttered and then shutted up as even talking was having an effect on her pain-
racked body. "Ohh," she groaned, attempting to stagger up. I think I'll just 
sleep on the floor today... it's not worth getting up and walking to my bedroom. 
Usagi curled into a ball and stayed very still, trying to lessen the pain as she 
drifted off into sleep. Hopefully it'll be gone by morning, she thought 
desolately, if not well... but if it is how am I going to handle school now? 
Maybe... I think about it later, I'm already getting a headache from this... 
Dimly she noticed something, Hey, the flux... it's gone. I barely made it back 
to myself, ano... 'old'... self...

         "See anything?" Jupiter asked Venus as they flitted among the trees in 
the park. 
         "Nothing," Venus returned, disgusted with the lack of any signs of what 
had caused the odd feelings Rei and Setsuna had received, "Everything's 
perfectly normal. Perfectly quiet, perfectly perfect."

         "Hn. You getting frustrated too, huh? So am I," Jupiter swiped at a 
branch with a white-gloved hand as she crouched down and leapt to the grassy 
ground. A cool breeze wafted spiralling around them, rippling the dark emerald 
grass they stood on. "It's like that old saying, 'Too good to be true'," Jupiter 
continued, "I'd never thought I'd get to this moment, when I wish we actually 
had some opponents to fight with and kick butt. At least back then, we had an 
opponent to focus on TOGETHER, now there isn't any other opponent and we seem to 
be just fraying apart." She growled, and twitched menacingly, the little move 
signifying a restless lack of control. 
          "Yeah, but you got to remember that other one, 'Be careful what you 
wish for', even though it's chances of becoming real is zero," Venus told her 
friend.
         Jupiter snorted, and both of them started as they heard Saturn's shout. 
         "Over here! I think I sense something!" Saturn shout reached their ears 
faintly, though clear.
         Jupiter and Venus glanced at each other and sprinted toward Saturn's 
voice.

         "So what is the status of our facilities?" the dry voice questioned the 
rigid demon, kneeling behind her.
         "Everything's in good condition. The legions are three thousand, eleven 
troops per legion, thirty warriors per troop. The laboratories are functioning 
correctly, more soldiers are being constructed as we speak. Communications are 
working correctly, but for some unknown reason, we are unable to contact our 
great liege, Pharaoh 90. Energy levels-" the general reported quickly and 
efficiently, slightly nervous in the eerie dimness of his queen's quarters. 
         Mistress 10 raised a hand. The demon stopped, somehow sensing it, even 
though he was staring at her back. He silently waited for any farther commands 
from his queen. "Is there any theory to why we are unable to contact our 
glorious leader, Pharaoh 90?" she said icily. 
         "One," the general replied immediately," He has not enough energy to 
communicate with us, since the obvious failure of the assigned late Mistress 9 
to retrieve heart crystals and herald his arrival to this dimension." 
         "Ah, that would explain it. Then we will just have to remedy that, 
shall we not? Order your troops and prepare to devise a stategy to efficiently 
obtain the energy needed to get back into communication with our leader," 
Mistress 10 spoke softly to the general.  
         "Hai, Mistress 10!" The general snapped to attention and bowed to her. 
He spun on his heel and marched through the door.

         Mistress 10 watched him leave silently and briefly toyed with the idea of having him disintegrated for being the bearer of the unsatisfactory news. She 
started slightly as a noise attracted her attention suddenly. A mere whisper 
brushed through the echoing vast chamber. The rustle of fine cloth on the cold 
tile floor, trailed lightly to her ears. A slight stiffled noise of what may 
have been ironic laughter drifted throughout the room. 
         "Well, Kirlian..." a quiet voice murmured. She didn't move, she knew 
perfectly well who it was. Her long time assisstant and advisor, the only one 
who knew her given name. A 'friend'.  
         "Erudite... so you've awakened," she acknowledged, "I suppose you have 
a different idea on why we aren't able to contact our liege?" 
         "Hm. Well, no. I suppose the only reason why we are not able to call to 
him is the low energy rates. Of course, there is always the possibility he has 
been finally eliminated," the shadowed indistinct figure offered. 
          The sharp intake of breath from Mistress Ten confirmed Erudite's 
nagging worry dwelling in the back of her mind.  Erudite hissed softly," You're 
getting soft on me, if you haven't thought of that idea, my dear."
          Mistress 10 sighed," You've always been the strategist Erudite. I 
always wonder why haven't you taken over to command the troops more 
efficiently."
          Erudite frowned," Don't get sentimental on me, Kirlian. You know why I 
haven't taken over, you are the social one. I may be a tactical genius, but it's 
you who is more fit to lead. Besides, I hate socializing. You revel in it. 
Therefore you are the better commander, I'm content to stay in the shadows and 
guide you when you need me, my dear."
          Mistress Ten twitched, an actual genuine smile flickering briefly over 
her face. "Ariagto for the moral support, Eru-chan," she replied dryly, a touch 
of sarcasm graced her words, "but don't call me Kirlian. You really think 
Pharaoh 90 has been... defeated?" The last word tasted bitter on her tongue and 
was ladened with disbelief.
        Erudite replied with a straight face, "Well Lian-chan-" The nickname 
earned her a glare from electric emerald eyes. "-I account for all possibilites 
you know. Of course it's highly improbable in my opinion, he IS our great 
sovereign. He has been undeafeated and undenied from what he desires for- 
practically forever. However, keep that possibility in the back of your mind. We 
will of course gather all the heart crystals required to contact him, nothing 
will block us from doing that. If trying to contact him fails, then he probably 
is gone. He would answer to such a summons and energy transfer, including the 
great promise of entering this dimension. If he is..." Erudite's eyes narrowed 
and a deadly heartless glint lit dark eyes in a indestructible promise," I- we, 
will find the person responsible, and make it pay for destroying his glorious 
plans. Make it *pay*, then carry out our liege's plan ourselves. They are our 
life's purpose after all."
         "Hai, advisor," Mistress 10 solemnly," They are, remember that and 
don't get above yourself." A tinge of cold disproval graced her last sentence 
meaningfully.
         Erudite bowed," As thou will, my queen. Summon me should you ever need 
me, you know where to find me..." The cloaking robes rustled slightly and the 
figure seemed to melt into the shadows, vanishing with a whisper of malevolent 
giggling.  
         Mistress 10 stared a moment where Erudite had been. She sighed 
mentally. As much as a show off as ever, she thought in annoyance at the 
boldness of her 'friend.' I should have her punished for such behavior if not 
for the invaluable information she gives me along with several occasions of... 
comfort in certain moods. Why do I ever put up with her? The thought was tinged 
with some amusement, which melted away quickly into cool calculation. Enough 
with that business. We must concentrate immediately on finding the purest heart 
crystals. " General!" she snapped shortly in summons.

         " So what did you find?" Uranus asked as she skidded to a stop, seeming 
to materialize from thin air, the result coming from her abnormal speed.
         Saturn frowned. " I'm not sure," she admitted," it seems to be a energy 
discharge residue." 
         Pluto agreed. " It also seems to be something like a temperal 
displacement smoothed out," she commented, frowning in puzzlement. 
         " Nanni?" Mercury asked, surprised. She took out her mini-computer from 
cross-dimensional 'storage', making it appear in her hand, and tapped furiously 
at the keys, trying to analyze the mysterious aftermath of residue energy.
         Flicking her sable haired over one shoulder, Jupiter peered over 
Mercury's slender shoulders, taking a peek. She quickly retreated with a 
sweatdrop on her head as she clashed face-to-face with obscene formulas. " 
Ano... Mercury. I'll just leave the technical stuff to you." 
        Venus flickered over to Neptune who was gazing through the aquamarine 
hued mirror.  It's reflective surface shone brilliantly in the hands of the 
outer senshi. " See anything, Neptune-san?" 
         " Iie," Neptune sighed in frustration, twisting the mirror away. It 
threw off silver light, reflecting the moonlight of the evening's full moon... 
         " Ura!" Jupiter excliamed, catching all of the senshis' attention," 
Wasn't tonight suppose to have a dark moon? Or was that a new moon?" 
         Mercury sweatdropped," They're synonyms, Jupiter." Then she blinked her 
large gentain eyes, as she recalled the moon phase for tonight from the 
newspaper.  " I believe you're right! Today was suppose to have a new moon 
phase... Odd."
          Saturn tossed her violet-black locks back from her amethyst eyes," You 
don't suppose that Usagi could have done this... do you?"
         " Iie," Pluto proclaimed, the Garnet Orb caught the light and seemed to 
glow deep inside as she waved it," this energy signature is different from hers. 
This much I can determine." 
         Ami nodded absently, and closed her sky-blue mini-computer, standing up 
from her couch," Well, whatever this energy may be, or came from, it isn't 
dangerous in the slightest, and it is something like when we take and put back 
our things, like my computer." She held it up and then narrowed her eyes in 
concentration. It vanished shortly from her hand with a slight blue glow.  "See? 
Basically it's harmless so-"
        "So we can go back home, get in bed, and figure this out tomorrow, 
right?" Mars cut in, standing off to the side feeling useless as her special 
senses couldn't feel anything.
        "Actually, wouldn't it be dangerous to delay investigating since this 
'harmless' output of power managed to alert us over a couple of miles away? It's 
so strong..." Uranus spoke up. 
        Mercury sighed and brushed off her short blue skirt. "Well, it wouldn't 
matter much if we just ignore it for now... I'm beat. Though I'd love to analyze 
the complications of this odd anomaly, I'll work better when I'm in tip-top 
shape. Nothing's happening yet...," Mercury reasoned, while thinking, Besides, 
I'm so worn out from that stunt we pulled with Usagi. I think the others who 
participated are tired too... 
       "So I guess delaying for a while wouldn't hurt, ne? Pluto-san?" Neptune 
concluded for Mercury.
       "Hai, let's continue this tomorrow. Uranus? Saturn? Venus? Jupiter?" 
Pluto asked.
       "Okay," four disgruntled senshi replied in ragged unison.
       
       Sunlight fell across Usagi's eyelids, burning their image and presence 
into her senses. Usagi grudgingly opened her large eyes and was nearly blinded 
by the stream of brightness coming into the living room from the large window 
nearby. Oh, great. This is just what I need, Usagi thought sarcastically dazed 
and half-blind, as a film of color that shouldn't be there covered her line of 
sight. And on top of that, I think I'm- She doubled over, soreness clanging at 
all her senses. K'so. Shitmatta, everything hurts. Her nerves felt fried, and 
done over by a nice troupe of lightening bolts, Her skin was sensitive to every 
move and touch, signaling pain with every little less-than-gentle contact. She 
winced, and instantly froze. 
        Kami. I cannot move thank you. Usagi grimanced, and with some effort 
took a peek at her less-than-reliable alarm clock. Her blurred eyes meet the 
reliable grandfather clock near were she lay instead of the small alarm clock 
she expected.  7:45 AM!!? I don't believe it! She flopped down and instantly bit 
back a yelp of pain. Itai! I don't care. I'm hanicapped and I will not go to 
school. I'm am in pain and I am not ashamed to acknowledge it. Why in hell do I 
hurt so much anyway? What happened yeste- Usagi thoughts froze in their tracks, 
connecting why she wasn't in her bed and why her alarm clock wasn't where she 
though it'd be. She was immediately shocked awake. K'so, that's right. I was... 
exiled. By the Sailor seishi of this solar system, my 'friends'. A bitter 
chuckle escaped from her lips and filled the room. Usagi ignored the pain. No 
other pain would ever amount to the pain the Sailor seishi had given her 
yesterday. Usagi started and slowly sat up, barely flinching at the needles 
dancing along her body. I can't believe I forgot... yesterday was June 30th. It 
was... my *birthday*... 
         "Heh, heh. Kami," Usagi groaned. "My 'rebirth' was also on June 30th. 
My exile and awakening... it should be declared as a holiday, if anyone knew 
about it. I wonder if the seishi realize that they had done those things to me 
on my birthday... Kami." 

        "Tsukino!" Ms. Haruna called from her desk in front of the classroom, 
marking attendence. 
        Naru sighed with exasperation as she glanced over to Usagi's desk next 
to her. Geez, Usagi's at it again. I wonder how come she showed up so early last 
time... Oh well, she'll be here around noon... Naru paused, thinking about why 
she was actually thinking about Usagi. I guess I want to apologize to her for 
being so rude and impolite last time. I have no idea why I was acting so... 
so... snit-ish. She was probably in shock and hurt at the abrupt dismissal the 
Sailor seishi gave her... I really have to apologize and try to help her out of 
it... I still wonder why they think I am the real Princess. Is this just a setup 
for a test to Usagi? But then why would the seishi explain EVERYTHING to me? I 
don't know... Usagi... 
        "Tsukino Usagi!" Ms. Haruna called again, an impatient edge to her 
voice. The sensei's sigh was visibly heard throughout the class. "Tardy again," 
she murmured half to herself and half to the class. Muffled snickers ran 
throughout the students and small sweatdrops adorned the rest of them who 
weren't.

         8:35 AM Usagi noticed on her watch as she stretched out in her 
backyard, after breakfast. The pain was nearly completely gone, for which she 
was grateful. 
         Not bad, the mutha of all pain vanished within an hour. Pretty cool... 
well... so what am I going to do now? There's nothing I can do about the ever-
so-mighty Sailor seishi, not that I *want* anything to do with them, so... Usagi 
bit her lip, considering her options. She closed her eyes, the dusky long-lashes 
basked in the sun. I guess I'll try to recall my memories again and study them 
more carefully. Usagi bounced up and skipped over to the patio. She sat down on 
the floor. So how am I suppose to do this? Um... let's go with something I'm 
familiar with then. I'll just assume that pose Rei always uses when she mediates 
and that should work... Usagi reached into her skirt pocket and withdrew a 
silvery object. This will help too... She closed her eyes and slowly began to 
recollect forgotten memories that had been buried away, outlining information 
and relearning techniques with an ease that was frightening and utterly 
unrecognizable to anyone who knew her... 

         The big clock resting above the large enterence of the school read 
12:53 PM. It was lunch and now Naru was worried... Where's Usagi? She wondered, 
she can't possibly sleep this late now can she? Maybe, she's just avoiding me so 
that I can't find her anywhere... not that I blame her...
         "Hey, Naru!" exclaimed a perky voice, plopping next to her.
         Naru started, and looked hurriedly in front of her. "Ami-san?" she 
asked, surprised.
         "Hai, but it's Ami-chan," corrected the school genius, smiling 
pleasantly, though she looked slightly sleepy, "is something wrong, Naru-chan?"
         "Iie... matte. Ami-chan, have you seen Usa-chan anywhere? I'd like to 
speak to her..." Naru said to the puzzled blue-haired seishi.
         "Usa-chan? Why would you want to speak to her, Naru-sama?" Ami said in 
a shocked whisper.
         "Well, I- just wish to discuss something very important with her... 
between friends," Naru drawled nervously.
         "Between friends? Naru, you know we can't associate with her, she's 
unstable right now, and she might feel somewhat... violent," Ami said, trying to 
convince a dubious Naru.
         "Unstable? Usagi? What do you mean by that?" Naru questioned 
suspiciously," Did you do somethin' to her or what?" Seeing the slightly guilty 
look flash quickly by Ami's face, Naru paled. "You didn't. What did you guys 
do?" Naru's voice rose, slightly alarmed. 
         "Shhh. As you are the Princess, I guess you should know. Four of us 
just pulled a trick to make sure Usagi stayed from us, nothing big. She's 
probably upset right now, but she'll get over it. You know how she is," Ami 
consoled.
         "What kind of trick was it? Ami..." Naru growled unpleasantly.
         The genius developed a sweatdrop on her head. "Um... we just told her 
to leave with some fancy fireworks. Don't worry about it. Dwelling on it will 
have no benefits. Besides, I'm certain Usagi will be tromping over here any 
second now and start chewing our heads off."
         "Haven't you've been listening to anything I've said? I asked where 
Usagi was, because she isn't at school. She never got here this morning in 
class. I thought she was just tardy again, but now it's so late..."
         "Nani? Honto?" Ami paused. "Well, she just probably needs time to cool 
off. She'll be back sooner or later."
         "Maybe. I think I'll pay her a visit after school-" Naru said.
         "IIE!!" Ami suddenly shouted. The entire quad area around them fell 
into silence as everyone stared at the quiet, sweet, school genius screamed in 
an apparent frenzy. Ami reddened. After a while, the students gradualy started 
speaking again, some students still taking a peek back at the two girls, 
wondering what was that all about.
         "What I meant," Ami continued in a more quiet tone," was that we 
through a lot of trouble and pain before deciding to pull that stunt." She 
ignored the fact that they decided to do it on the spur of the moment without 
any second thoughts, and continued, "And to just suddenly back out and comfort 
her will waste the seperation effort. It would be better if you'd wait a few 
weeks and then try to talk to her. She'll just probably forgive, but still keep 
her distance which is what we want, okay Naru? Just wait a few weeks."
         "Well, alright. But you better not do anything else to her okay?" Naru 
said to the senshi.
         "Sure, um... one more thing. Please don't mention this to the other 
four senshi who didn't participate."
         "What?! You mean they don't know? How am I- Oh, fine. But which ones 
are they?"
         "I can't say. Just don't mention it at all, okay? It was a secret 
project."
         "Ami, this is very un-" Naru started to say. She was abruptly cut off 
by a blonde whirlwind.

         "Oh my God!" Ikuko bolted straight up from her bed.
         "Huh? Darling? What's wrong?" Kenji fumbled for the light on the 
bedstand. He finally managed to click it on and the illumination lighted up the 
pitch-black room.   
         "Usagi's birthday! How could I have forgotten?" Ikuko wailed.
         "Usagi's birthday? Honey, that's tomorrow!" Kenji said in surprise, 
with a slur in his voice. It had been an exhausting night. They had gone to see 
the volcanoes on a cruise tour and gotten back very late. He had just lain down for a while, starting to go to sleep when Mrs. Tsukino had bolted up.
         "I knew something was wrong!" Ikuko muttered," Dear, you forgot about 
the time zone..."
         Kenji started. "Oh-! That's right! That means, since it's going to be 
Usagi's birthday today," Kenji corrected staring at the AM reading on the clock 
next to the light, "Then is would have been Usagi's birthday in Japan yesterday! 
How stupid of me-"
         "I'm going to call her," Ikuko abruptly said. "She's probably feeling 
deserted. I think we should give her the hotel number too, so she could call us 
back."
         "Yeah, the phone should be over there on the coffee table," Kenji said 
sleepily. "Could you give a hug and a Happy Birthday for me, okay?"
         "Alright," Ikuko said, getting up and slipping into the slippers on the 
floor. "I'm calling right now, okay?" She tied the sash to her bathrobe.
         "Okay, hon."

         Usagi stumbled and nearly tripped. Whoa, who would call me at this time 
of day? Usagi wondered as she dashed to get the phone. Could it actually be mom? 
         She raced to get it. Well, whoever it is, they nearly scared the crap 
outta me! The meditation thing was deeper then I thought, so when that ring 
broke my concentration it was like something dumping dry ice down my shirt while 
I'm in asleep in a warm bed... 

         Ikuko waited on the other end, impatiently. Why isn't she picking up? 
She looked at the clock again, and slapped her forehead with her free hand. 
Geez, how stupid could you get? With the time difference, right now she should 
be in school...
         The sound of the phone being picked up shocked her out. "Moshi-moshi," 
a breathless voice answered, "Tsukino residence, who are you looking for?"
   
         Usagi panted, waiting for the voice on the other end of the phone. 
         "Usa-chan?" a familiar voice asked.
         "'Kaasan!" Usagi squeaked in surprise. She had been hoping that her 
mother, well second mother, would call, but actually hearing her...
         "Usa-chan! I though you were suppose to be in school!" her mother's 
alarmed voice rang over the phone.
         "Nanni? Then why did you call me?" Usagi asked in a blurry, puzzled 
tone.
         "Um... I forgot, until a minute ago," her mother's sheepish voice came 
over.
         "Oh."
         "Young lady, why aren't you in school?" Ikuko huffed over the phone.
         "I didn't feel very good this morning," Usagi answered truthfully, "so 
I decided to stay home today."
         "Honto? Where does it hurt? Are you alright?" her mother asked in 
alarm.
         Usagi answered her questions, while thinking of the symptoms of a fever 
or something.
         "Usagi, I think you may have a fever. You should stay home until you 
feel better okay? I'll call the school office for you and excuse you from school 
until you feel better."
         "Alright," Usagi said in a very good imitation of a feeble voice," 
'kaasan, did you just call to check on me? Or was it something else you needed 
to speak to me about?"
         "Ara. Hai, honey, I apologize. Happy Birthday, sweetheart, from all of 
us. When we get home, we'll bring you a present, okay hon?" Ikuko said over the 
phone.
         Usagi's eyes widened. They hadn't forgotten... her eyes started to 
sting with tears.
         "Usagi?"
         "Arigato gozaimasu, 'kassan! I'll wait for you to come back!" Usagi 
said, her voice quivering against her will. She wiped her tears away. "How is it 
like in Hawaii anyway? Is it fun?"
         "Very! It's sugoi! We've taken photos and everything, it was so nice of 
you to agree to stay home for us. Oh, yeah. I want to give the hotel's number to 
you, in case you want to call us for anything," Ikuko rattled off the number, 
and Usagi took it down. 
          "Hm-hum. Got it!" Usagi said to her mother.
          "Ah, so how your friends taking to your getting sick?" Ikuko asked.
          Friends? "Uh, actually, when they stopped by this morning, I just told 
them I didn't feel so well. I didn't know it turn into this. I'll tell them as 
soon as possible..."
          "Okay... so, how's things going for you?"
          "Well," Usagi said, and engaged in a fairly long conversation with her 
mother for the next twenty minutes.

         Nani? Usagi-? Naru thought, registering the blonde.
         "Ami!" the blonde cried.
         Ami looked up startled. "Minako? What are you doing?"
         "Ami!" wailed the brunette racing up beside Minako.
         "Makoto? What-?" Ami was truly muddled now.
         "I can't believe it!" burst out Minako.
         "Yeah, I know. All of a sudden it hit Minako and me, during 4th 
period..." Makoto said.
         "Huh?"Ami mumbled.
         "Now I feel like scum..." Minako continued.
         "Guys, what's going on here?" Naru asked in confusion.
         "Ano... you didn't remember either?" Minako asked.
         "Remember what?" Ami asked, getting slightly annoyed.
         "It was Usa-chan's birthday yesterday," Makoto declared.
         Ami paled.

        Haruka banged her head against the wall. "I can't believe I forgot 
yesterday!" she shoutd in frustration.
        Michiru, still slightly shaky from the news, reached out and wrapped her 
arms around Haruka's shoulders. "Well, I forgot too, so..."
       "I can NOT believe I forgot it was Usa-chan's birthday yesterday! We're 
going to have to make it up to her!" Haruka growled.
       Michiru started. "Haruka, that's not a good idea..."
       "Huh? Why?" Haruka asked. 
       "..." Michiru didn't answer.
       Haruka's eyes narrowed as she caught on, piecing together the little 
clues she'd previously ignored. "Michiru... I thought something was weird. What 
did you, Setsuna, Rei, and Ami do to Usa-chan yesterday? Michiru?"
       Michiru started and pulled away.
       Haruka caught her by the arm. "Michiru?"
       "Well..."

       Hotaru started in disbelief. "What? You did *WHAT*?!!"
       Setsuna avoided the little girl's boring gaze. "It was all for the 
best..."
       "I can't believe you did that to Usa-chan! And on her BIRTHDAY!!" Hotaru 
shouted, stunned.
       "I forgot it was her birthday yesterday... We were so preoccupied lately, 
it completely slipped my mind..." Setsuna mumbled, ashamed for once.
       "That's still NO excuse!" Hotaru growled, "How could you do that to an 
old friend of ours anyway? How could we call ourselves standing for justice when 
we treat our own TEAM MEMBERS that way? Plus, you pretended to be us behind our 
backs, without our permission to break Usagi's heart like that- how COULD 
*YOU*?!!"
        Setsuna stared out the window.
 
        "You HAVE to go over there to Usa-chan's right now and apologize!" 
Minako hissed.
        "HAI. You do. I can't believe you DID that behind our backs! What kind 
of person are you? I thought someone like you would never do that to a 
*friend*," Makoto growled.
        "Sa... You did NOT say you did that!" Naru said empathetically.
        "Ano..." Ami said tentively, then straightened up, "No, we're not going 
to do that yet." She held up a hand to stop Minako, Makoto, and Naru from 
bursting out. "You see..."

        "Iie, Ruka-chan, you can't do that," Michiru said calmly in contrast to 
Haruka's visible enraged trembling.
        "NAZE?!" Haruka snapped.
        "Because Usagi's probably in a very bad mood right now. Any attempt to 
try and make up with her will probably go sliding across glass," Michiru 
reasoned.
        "And how will you know that, until you try it?" Haruka said in an 
eeriely calm voice.
        "You know her personality..." Michiru replied, warily.
        Haruka's shoulders slumped slightly. "Michiru," she said conversely 
after a while.
        "Hai?" Michiru asked. 
        "Michiru, I feel like I need to cool down for a while too, okay?" Haruka 
abruptly got up and sauntered towards the door, "I'll be back in a while."
        "Ruka-chan!" Michiru exclaimed, worried.
        "I think Usagi will be calm within a week, considering what you guys 
did. I'll make up with her then. Righteous with you?" Haruka closed the door 
behind her none too gently.

        Rei started in the hallways of her private school as her 
watch/communicater beeped. Glancing around and seeing nobody around, she quickly 
opened the device. "Rei here. What's up, Ami?" Rei asked seeing the unhappy 
Sailor senshi.
        "Rei... we have a problem. I think it would be best if you steer clear 
of Minako, Makoto, and Naru for now. Probably Haruka and Hotaru too. They're 
kind of upset..." Ami's voice trailed.
        Rei blinked astonished. "No... they didn't.... how did they find out? 
Ami? Ami, you didn't?"
        Ami looked down. "Well, Mina-chan, Mako-chan, and Naru-chan kind of 
asked in this- and I think Michiru and Setsuna accidentally-"
        Rei groaned.

        "-Uh-huh. Sure, no problem. Talk to you soon then, 'kaasan! Ja!" Usagi 
carefully placed the phone back into its cradle. Whoa, we talked for so long? 
Oh, well. It was great that we could, anyway. Usagi glance at the telephone 
number her mother had given her. Should I call her, or would it be a bad idea? 
Usagi thought about it for a while. I'll consider it later. For now I guess, 
I'll have to get back to my 'reviewing', Usagi started to walk back to the 
patio. For some reason, studying doesn't exactly scare me so much for some 
reason, it's actually kind of... interesting. Usagi froze at that thought. Oh my 
God, I'm not going to turn into something like Ami, now, am I? She shuddered. 
         Actually, I can't believe I forgot even half of anything in my 
memories. Every rule and basic lesson was vital... Usagi pushed open the sliding 
door with a hand, she stared at the place where the ring should have been. A 
sardonic smile briefly twisted her lips. Ah, I wonder what Mamoru is doing right 
now... She walked out and sat down on a chair on the shaded patio. Next, I 
believe was telekinetic basics...

         "They will be functional within two days after we install them," the 
general said in answer to Mistress 10's question. Mistress 10 thought about it 
for a brief second.
         "Very well, install them immediately within each soldier we have and in 
every other soldier we will create," she ordered. "When they are operational, I 
want you to report immediately to me."
         "Hai." The general affirmed.
         Installing an artifical body part is risky, however we'll need that 
part to extract the crystals... It's worth the risk. Many may have some trouble 
with it, but then the newly created soldiers won't since it's a part of them 
when they are 'made'. If there is a problem, it'll only be a temperory setback. 
It's certainly better than using some form of tool that may be lost or 
something... Mistress Ten reasoned to herself.

         "Okay," Chun-Li muttered, staring at the stubborn computer seated in 
front of her face. "There will not be any problems. There will not be any 
problems," she chanted sarcastically to herself. She scrolled down the screen, 
while flicking a chestnut strand of hair away from her eyes. "Ohhh, man," she 
groaned. Tracking down this Sailor Moon person is more difficult then I thought 
it would be. There's been no clues on her since that huge blurry 'disturbance' a 
couple of months ago... No problem, we'll find her eventually. I'm positive on 
that... Chun-Li continued thinking as she typed more commands to the supposedly 
incredibly fast computer.

         "Well, now. Have you pinpointed the disturbance from yesterday?" the 
deep voice rumbled.
         "No, sir. However we've narrowed it down to somewhere in Japan, it'll 
just take a little more time and we can pinpoint the exact location, approximate 
time, source, etc." the scientist hastened to say. He couldn't help trembling 
the slightest bit in the intimidating presence of his leader.
         "Good for you," Bison said in his twisted voice," start on it 
immediately. I expect you to do all that in maximum two days allowing some 
delays, understood?"
         "Yes, sir!"

         Ryu held the black payphone receiver close to his ear, feeling slightly 
uncomfortable. 
         Ring... Riing. Riinng..
         I've gone over those scrolls yesterday, and I still don't believe of 
half of it. However, there this gut feeling I have that's telling me I chould 
check it out. My gut feelings are usually right, so... So I hiked up to the 
nearest town where I was training, Ryu thought ironically.
        "Hello, Masters residence, how may I help you?" a smooth masculine voice 
answered his call.
        Ryu cleared his throat a little. When was the last time I talked so much 
in one day? he wondered vaguely. "May I speak to Ken Masters please?"
         "Who is this?" the voice asked.
         Ryu paused. "Ryu," he said simply.
         "Ryu! You old priss!" the voice abruptly shouted in his ear.
         Ryu flinched, startled, nearly dropping the phone. What the-
         "Ryu?" the voice said again tentatively.
         Finally recovering himself, Ryu answered. "Ken? I thought one your 
butlers or something would pick up..."
         "Tch. I just got to the phone faster than they could. I'm bored to 
death here!" the boyish voice complained, "getting a call at a time like this is 
a miracle. One from you is a phenomenon. So whadd'ya ring me up for? Sparring? 
What?"
         Ryu sighed, I don't like to do this... "I need your help on 
something..."
         "Help?" Ken said incredulously, "Help? Wait, this is *the* Ryu right? 
If this is a prank call..."
         "I know you'd act this way," muttered Ryu," Never mi-"
         "Uh-Uh!" The voice empathetically exclaimed, "I was just kidding, man! 
Don't be such a wuss! Help? This is impossible to hear from you, I can't miss 
this! What do you need?"
         "Actually, it's this odd passageway I found," Ryu hesistantly began to 
explain.
         "Right, sounds like a novel..." Ken teased, settling down in his couch 
at his mansion in the U.S.
         "Hn." Ryu commented, then continued his sentence.

Two days later...

         As soon as the bell rang at 8:15 AM Naru instantly looked at the door. 
K'so... Usagi hasn't been to school for two days! Where the hell is she? Maybe 
something happened to her... Naru worried anxiously. She wrung her hands in her 
lap, slightly bowing her head in disquiet as she did so.
         "Tsukino?" Ms. Haruna called. Hearing no reply, she flipped her pencil 
from behind her ear and made another mark on the attendence sheet.
        Naru abruptly stood up, clenching her hands, which were placed on the 
table. "Ms. Haruna, Usagi's been gone for so long do you think something's 
happened to her?"
        Ms. Haruna blinked in surprise, startled at the sudden move Naru made. 
"Oh, you didn't know? Usagi's feeling slightly sick, so she's going to stay home 
until she feels better. Her mother called the office and had excused her two 
days ago..."
        "Honto...?" Naru said stunned, "Gomen, sensei. I didn't mean to 
interrupt you..."
        "It's alright," Ms. Harna said, "I can understand your concern. I'm 
surprised that such a close friend like you didn't know..." She continued the 
roll call.
        Feeling sick? I don't believe that, she probably is just digusted with 
the others and me and pretended or something. Right? But then if she really 
is... Should I stop by after school? I am. Who cares what the Senshi say, Usagi 
is my friend so I'll go and check on her after school. Alone? Well, maybe Minako 
and Makoto would like to go as well...

        Usagi took a deep breath. The misty mountain air was very refreshing as 
in contrast to the more polluted air of Tokyo. Well, I think it's pretty cool 
that I got this far on my own! I think I could try teleporting to the moon in 
another couple of days or something, perhaps even out of this solar system. I 
imagine the data I had in my memories are slightly out-of-date. I'll have to 
start checking on the positioning and all that junk. 
        She bit her lip thoughtfully, and then I'm still going to have to figure 
out that 'rearrangement of atoms' method. That could become very useful for 
later. As for now, I think I've just about gotten the ritual fast thing, I won't 
have to eat as much, perhaps not at all, anymore. 
        Usagi gave a digusted grunt. I always wondered why I wasn't really able 
to move right, and tripping over things. Sheesh, I just needed some time to get 
use to Earth's gravity, it *is* FAR stronger than the moon's...
        Moving away from that line of thought, Usagi started to focus her 
concentration on the object she was hoping she'd create. Energy reflectors must 
be positioned in the correct codes along with the absorbers, or I'll end up as a 
roasted turkey whenever someone, any energy user, decides to pop off an energy 
beam at me. 
        Within two minutes, she got it. Carefully Usagi secured the energy lines 
around her form, the completed energy shield and detector totally invisible to 
the untrained eye. It was also MUCH heavier than the automatic shield that had 
covered her when her memories had kicked back in.
        Oh well, you win some, you lose some. I'll get use to the weight, it's 
good physical training, Usagi tried to assure herself. Speaking of which, I 
really should start working on. I do need to practice back on the energy usages 
and techniques, but physical is also very important. Extremely so. I think 
Antarctica is a wonderful candidate for cold resisting... Hm. Who know the 
United States had such lovely scenery in some parts of their national forests! 
        Usagi continued staring at the circling hawks swooping over the tall 
pine trees, while considering reviewing under the massive elm tree or returning 
back to Japan and thinking at her house. The drawback is it's more like 
nighttime here because of the time zone...
        I'll stay, she decided. She stared at the liquid green of the trees, 
filled with a slight awe. The rippling laughter of a flowing brook whispered 
close by. The soothing sound mingled with the rustles and movements of the trees 
along the stirring wind and bustling creatures around the forest. The light from 
the brilliant stars and moon fell down through the dark emerald leaves. It's 
much prettier here and quieter than those cars that go tearing down our street. 
It's not like anyone would visit me...

Later that day, in the afternoon...

       "Zediv," Mistress Ten said invitingly.
        The general bowed. "Implantations completed. We will be able to move 
whenever you wish, my lady. Choose the target and give the command."
        Mistress Ten sat in silence for a moment. The target, she thought in 
chagrin. I forgot to think of which  heart crystal to take! "That shall take a 
while," she said icily, masking her emotions with a skillful talent, "as for 
now, let's test out this exacting organ. Zediv, choose any target you would care 
for and test it out, then report to me with the results."
       "As you command," Zediv bowed.

         Zediv walked briskly down the hallway from Mistress Ten's quarters. In 
a while, after he was far away from there, he stopped short and let out a heavy 
sigh of relief. "K'so I hate it every time I go. For some stupid reason, she 
scares the shit out of me." He gave a slight grunt of displeasure and lifted up 
his cap a little. Why, do we have to wear caps with *these* uniforms? He thought 
in irritation. 
         He inspected the metallic, strong, heavy, and *SCANT* fuku he was 
wearing as he continued to walk down to the nearest technician branch. The 
skimpy rig was fastened around his neck and waist with strips of smooth, 
reflective material. It heightened the demonic feature of his razor bladed, 
reptilian body, and bought out the glossy, scale-like texture of his skin. It 
left no doubt of his sensuous, masculine yet alien body. In short it would've 
been the equivalent of what a prostitute would wear, except a little more 
modest.  
        He sighed. It looks okay, but I still wish we'd be able to design our 
own uniforms later. 
        Zediv paused. What am I thinking? We're to serve Pharaoh 90! I must be 
still suffering from the long hibernation we had... Anyway-
        "Sir!" greeted the stationed guard sharply.
        Zediv nodded curtly and ordered, "Tell Soldier 523, Orion, to go to the 
last known location of Mistress 9 on that planet and test out the new extracting 
device!"
        "Yes sir!"

        Minako and Makoto walked in front of Naru, as they started to go and 
check on Usagi together after school. It's good that they agreed and decided to 
come with me. Naru thought, trying to keep up with the taller girls' longer 
strides. Maybe Usagi will listen and understand that whatever she saw wasn't 
real. Ami and the others haven't given much detail, but I don't think it 
could've been that bad... could it? Naru pondered the thought. They passed an 
Arcade without much attention. After a long while, Naru thought of something.
       "Hey, guys-" she started to ask.
       "AAHHH!!!" A horrifying shriek of pure terror rang over the still 
streets, stopping everyone in their tracks.
       "YAMETTE!" came the heart-stopping scream. The scream of a girl's. 
       "LEAVE MY SISTER ALONE!!" shouted a frightened, but enraged masculine 
voice. Minako and Makoto instantly recognized it, from previous adventures and 
little off-time events. It was Motoki Furuhata; which meant the girl that had 
screamed was-
       "Ano?" asked Naru dazedly, confused.
       "K'so!" Makoto swore, and sprinted back towards the Arcade they had past. 
Minako followed close behind. 
       "Masaka... Unakzuki?!" Minako asked breathlessly of Makoto who was moving 
far faster than any normal human should.
       "Looks like it," replied Makoto grimly. She braked sharly, sweeping her 
legs into a fighting stance and swerving her long, chestnut ponytail out of her 
way. Minako's golden hair flowed out beside her, settling down quickly below her 
slim waist. Both of them panted, slightly out of breath. They turned to see the 
situation and froze. 
       "Shimatta!" Minako swore softly under her breath. "Henshin yo, Makoto!"
       "Hai!"
       Within a matter of seconds, Sailor Senshi Venus and Jupiter appeared upon 
the scene.
       They observed a very foreign, very big, and very HANDSOME demon that was 
attacking Unazuki mercilessly. Motoki was lying unconcious on the ground near 
the two.
       It was roughly around 6'5 with a lean, masculine humanoid body. It 
possessed a lithe whiplash tail, high prominent dragonlike face, bent-back legs, 
and glossy black scale-armor covered skin. It also sported several, no make that 
many, three feet or longer razor blades sprouting from various place, mainly the 
joints, of the alien body. Still, it was one of the more stunning demons Venus 
and Jupiter had seen, especially with the elegant revealing rig it wore... 
(Yeah, I'm shameless. Have a problem? ^^ ~C)

       Venus's jaw dropped. "Ara! Kaiwaii!" Hearts started floating around her 
head in admiration. Jupiter stopped herself from following Venus's example, 
shaking herself and reminded her sternly that it was the enemy.
       "How dare you attack innocent girls! In the name of Jupiter-" Jupiter 
started her standard speech for the newcomer alien.
       "And Venus!" interjected Venus, snapping out of her 'that-is-SO-cute' 
daze.
       "-I will punish you!" Jupiter finished dramatically, getting in the 'I'm-
high-on-life' mood.
       The alien barely spared her a glance. It was busily fastening two sucker 
sporting tenatacles from the several razor bladed tentacles on its back to poor, 
struggling Unazuki's throat.
       "Get your dirty hands off of her!" Jupiter shouted.
       Orion was peeved. Man, how many crazy humans are there? 
       He shifted uncomfortably, the implants were still killing him. They don't 
put a crimp on my anatomy, but they do hurt. Well, orders are orders. I have to 
try them out... Orion activated the implants.  
       A bright flash raced along the suckers as they squeezed along he hollow 
of Unazuki's throat. She let a gurgling choke and fell limp.
        Orion yelped. He released her, tending to 
his suffering tentacles.  he said grimly,  A glittering twelve point star hung in midair before 
Orion's face.  Orion 
grabbed the crystal. 
        "I don't think so!" Minako yelled, getting over hearing the demon 
telepathically in her mind. "VENUS LOVE ME CHAIN ENCIRCLE!!!" Venus screamed. A 
chain of vibrant hearts lashed out encircling Orion, trapping his arms to his 
sides.
         Orion said, shocked.
       "No one messes with this solar system~!" Jupiter declared. "SPARKLING 
WIDE PRESSURE!!" She hurled a crackling mass of electricity straight onto 
Orion's face.
       Venus continued while tightening the chain on Orion's body. "VENUS LOVE 
AND BEAUTY SHOCK!!!" A deluge of brilliant energy in the form of roses, hearts, 
and light surged toward Orion.
       Orion was too stunned to react as he normally would. He took full impact 
on his body and vaporized. Before before vanishing on this plane of existance, 
he hurled one last transmission to his superior hoping that it would be 
intercepted...

       The outer senshi and the remaining inner senshi sensed it. The abrupt 
transformation of two senshi. 
       Michiru excused herself from her tutoring class. 
       Setsuna removed herself gracefully from the nurse's office at a school 
she was currently employed in.   
       Hotaru quickly left the playground where she had been building kites with 
her friends. 
       Haruka blasted off from her racing practice, apologizing hurriedly for 
leaving so fast. 
       Rei dashed down from the temple to the disturabance she felt. 
       Ami broke off her studies in computer programming. 
       Mamoru jerked from his current position of watching Chibi-Usa, but 
uneasily settled down as he decided that the others could handle it.

       "K'so. That was too easy," Jupiter commented. "Did you see that surprised 
look in its eyes? We caught it off guard..."
       "Masaka... this feels so much like that time with Pharaoh 90..." Minako 
muttered uneasily, carefully taking the shining heart crystal in her hands. 
"It's creepy! Do you think we missed one from that time?"
       Jupiter was over at Andrew's side, gently trying to shake him awake. 
"You're right! It is like Pharaoh 90..."
      "Venus! Jupiter!" cried six voices. Neptune, Uranus, Pluto, Saturn, Mars, 
and Mercury came running up the path. Jupiter and Venus started. "Huh? Guys, 
what..."
      Uranus, Pluto, Saturn, Neptune, and Mercury skidded to a halt next to the 
scene. Mars stopped a little way behind, escorting a bewildered Naru.
      "What happened?" Uranus asked.
      "What's that?!" Naru pointed at the sparkling star in Venus's palm. 
      "What's wrong with Motoki and Unazuki?!" Mercury and Mars asked worriedly, 
helping Jupiter try and wake them.
      "Masaka... that looks like a heart crystal!" Neptune exclaimed, wide-eyed.
      "Venus...?" Pluto asked.
      Huge sweatdrops adorned their heads. "Well..."  

Several hours pass as explainations were passed around.

       Usagi flinched, looking up sharply in nervousness as she felt a sharp 
twinge. What's that?! It feels like... Like Jupiter and Venus! Something's up- 
Wait. Why do I care? Usagi froze in her halfway up position, the sweet morning 
breeze of the woods swaying through her long golden hair. Because, unlike them, 
I care! She told herself firmly.
       Usagi teleported.

       Mamoru walked briskly down the steps, unwilling to leave Chibi-Usa even 
for the simple time it took him to retrieve the mail for long. 
       Even though Luna and Artimas is with her, I still feel uneasy leaving her 
at all in her vurnable state... Mamoru thought fixedly. Especially since I felt 
the senshi transforming. I'll have to ask them later about what happened. He 
quickly inseted the key to his assigned 'mailbox' and headed back to his 
apartment, scanning them as he went along. 
       Bills, bills, junk, commercial, auction, bills- hey! What's this? Mamoru 
stopped at one particular envelope as he got to his door. Getting a feeling of 
premonition, he slowly opened it. He quickly examined the contents of the short 
letter.
       "K'so!" Mamoru hissed suddenly. He quickly barged in his apartment. 
"Luna! Artimas! We- I have a problem!"

       Eight disgruntled Sailor senshi were seated around a low table in a 
temple. 
       A brunette and a long- haired blonde stared straight in front of them. 
       A short, blue-haired girl was busily tapping at what appeared to be a 
pocket translator.
       A raven-haired priestress was seated stonically, deep in thought.
      A sandy-haired woman was moodily going through every devisable solution in 
her head.
      A sea-green haired lady was examing a highly polished mirror.
      The dark violet haired teen and the dark emerald haired lady appeared to 
be half-asleep, which of course they weren't.
       I don't see what we can do here at the temple! We should have looked at 
the site of attack longer... At least Motoki and Unazuki are okay. Poor 
Unazuki... she got quite a scare. This is the second time too- Minako thought.
       This has something to do with the disturbance we felt three days ago, it 
has too! I knew we shouldn't have delayed in looking into that stupid thing- 
Makoto brooded.
       There has to be a reasonable conclusion for this similarity in style of 
attack. Perhaps they are related to Pharaoh 90? Hm, I wonder if- Ami analyzied.
       I wonder if it was such a good idea to coax of all them here right now, 
Rei thought uneasily. Their aura is screaming that they're in a very bad mood 
right now. Most of them anyway. It's impossible to concentrate-

        -Shove a tracer down an offensive demon's throat? Haruka mused. Plant an 
explosive along its body as it's leaving? How about-
        Michiru stared. This is not like Haruka, she thought uneasily. Normally 
I hate looking into her thoughts, but this- this is violent. I wonder if she 
really wants to commit homocide... Does have something to do with Usagi? I 
really hope I can do something about this...
        Pharaoh 90's work, Hotaru thought grimly. There's no mistaking it. I 
recognize all the key signatures. I wonder if the others can tell. She 
restrained an involuntary shudder.  God, it was bad when Mistress 9 took over my 
body, I'm glad I got over it... But who are these new enemies with Pharaoh 90? I 
thought he was destroyed years ago...
        I wonder if Hotaru's okay with this... Setsuna pondered worriedly, 
peeking at the destructive senshi through her lashes. We have to get a clear 
answer soon. I'm glad we got Naru safely back home-
        The senshi sat in silence, before awkwardly discussing their notions for 
a while and then bidding each other goodbye and a promise to continue the 
dicussion at the temple tomorrow.

       Usagi frowned in puzzlement at the altered molecules of air in the 
certain area of the attack site. I wonder what's up, she thought quickly. 
Glancing around briefly to check if the coast was clear, Usagi set her hand over 
the place.
        Another experimental move, she thought whimsically. She gathered the 
changed threads of exsistance and tried to revert them to get an image of what 
took place. It worked.
       "K'so."

       Luna and Artimas tried to resolve the problem. They really did. It had no 
effect on fabricating a solution.
       "Well," Artimas spoke up, "Why don't you just go? It's not like there's 
anything important going on lately-"
       "And any of us can take care of Chibi-Usa-" Luna tried to soothe the 
matter. 
       "Luna, Artimas, studying over there is going to take at least four years. 
If something does happen, it'd be terribly damn inconvient if I were in 
AMERICA!!!"
       The cats winced. "There's nothing to worry about though..." Luna 
reasoned.
       "So there's nothing to worry about! Just inform the scouts and leave. 
It's not worth turning down a rare second opportunity to go to America to wait 
for something to happen that isn't going to happen!" Artimas told Mamoru firmly.
        At that precise moment the phone rang. Surprised, Mamoru blinked and 
picked up. "Moshi-moshi?"
        "Mamoru-san," Ami's voice rang over the phone. "We have a problem-"

Two very long, very studious, very panicking, very anxiety invoking days 
passed...

       Ryu was not happy. 
       He was stuck on a cramped, musty, violently vibrating helicopter 
lumbering in the sky, weaving unsteadily across the ocean. For six to twleve 
hours, feeling like his transport was going to drop like a rock out of the air. 
       Ryu was not happy. 
       He shifted uncomfortably, ignoring the worst of the rough going. He WAS 
used to it. He focused instead on what Ken had said to him some hours ago...

       "-Yeah? Shit. Yeah, I think I can get him to check it out for ya since 
he's so up about those scrolls he found... What? Oh, all right, I'll ask him. 
Uh-huh. Sure, no problem. Call you right back after I'm done explaining what's 
going on to him. Right. Yeah, Ciao!" Ken hung up the phone he had been talking 
into for the last thirty minutes. He breathed a high sigh of relief and flopped 
more comfortably on the sofa he was reclining in. Ken peered lazily through a 
half-closed to look at the uneasily shifting Ryu, who looked and felt decidedly 
out of place in the grand surroundings of the mansion. Both of them waited 
silently for the other to speak up first. After a few minutes, Ryu hesistantly 
spoke up, his voice slightly rough from disuse.
       "Well?"
       "Well what?" Ken replied easily, cheerfully baiting him.
       "What did Chun-Li say?"
       Ken blew air through his lips in a phbbf noise. "She said quite a lot."
       Ryu frowned.
       "Take it easy! Loosen up, will you? Anyway, Chun-Li did hear about this 
Princess Serenity character you so interested in. About a week ago. She said she 
had been searching all the way down to Hell with no clear leads on where or who 
she really is so far. Supposedly, she's incredibly powerful. More than any 
Street Fighter there is and she *doesn't* need or use any martial arts 
techniques to be that way. Chun-Li claims that the data files they do have on 
her say that she can destroy the solar system and piece it back together with 
her supernatural, *magical*," Ken emphasized, "powers. Which is why Bison's 
looking for her."
       Ryu started, looking up sharply. "Bison?" he asked piercingly.
       "Uh-huh. And you've been just elected to undertake this dangerous mission 
to find this Moon Princess before Bison! The danger... it's just so- so *you* I 
thought you'll be ecstatic."
       Ryu did not look ecstatic. "...hn."
       "Hey, it's a prefectly good reason and resource supplier for looking for 
her right? Oh, yeah. Chun-Li wants to see those scrolls you're talking about 
too."
       Ryu spoke. "She can't. They vanished. When I was finished reading them, 
and about to look for the way out of the cave, an opening appeared and the 
scrolls just... swirled and disappeared in this bluish light." Ryu didn't 
mention that they had vanished as they swopped down on him like bats, in the 
area around his neck, swirling in on themselves like they were being locked up 
by some magical force in a cheap wizard movie. I have a suspicion that chain is 
still on me somewhere, Ryu thought uneasily.

       Ryu's hand went unconsciously to his throat. I don't feel anything, see 
anything, or sense anything on me, but still... Ryu expelled a sigh and decided 
to ponder over it later. He grimanced as the helicopter hit another air pocket.
       "Sorry about that!" the pilot hollered over the thrumping of whomping 
blades. "I'm trying my best to keep this hulk keep doing anything too bad! The 
trip should last for another couple of hours at most! Sit back and relax!"
       Ken's last sentences flashed into mind. "Yeah, anyway, you need to keep a 
very low profile. Bison knows you on sight, so you'll be toast before you can 
blink if he catches you. That's why you're going to that to Japan..." Ken 
gestured to a worn helicopter. "That's actually stronger than it looks, so wipe 
that look off your face! Well, go for it! I'll hear from you in a couple of 
days, okay?"
       Ryu had been extremely dubious at the "aircraft's" ability. That opinion 
hadn't changed. There is no way short of blasting this thing and falling into 
the sea am I going to *relax*, Ryu thought sourly. He closed his eyes in slight 
resignation and settled in for another few hours on the airborne torture 
chamber. I'm going to get back at Ken for this...

       "... last transmission from Orion before we lost contact is as follows: 
Failure! Failure! Implant usage sucessful, however unknown attackers with 
supernatural abilities have located me! They are hostile, repeat hostile-" Zediv 
broke off grimly. 
       Mistress Ten was silent. "What do you make of this," she finished 
whispered, her low voice sending shivers down Zediv's endoskeleton. He didn't 
meet her eyes, the dark entrenched evil, no *dark power,* in the endless emerald 
depths was too much for him to handle, shaking him to his very core. Pulling 
himself together, Zediv answered quickly.
       "From what I see of Orion- Soldier 523 has been successful in using the 
implants to extract the heart crystals-"
       "No," she hissed in irritation, "about the superpowered attackers."
       "-and those attackers he ran into on Earth are this world's protectors. I 
think it is apparent that they may be the ones who had defeated the late 
Mistress 9 on her earlier mission. If they are, then they are to be approached 
with caution..."
       "Hn. I'm glad you aren't as incompetant as the former general," Mistress 
10 said quietly. Then she stood gazing out the large portal that abruptly 
appeared in front of her. 
       Zediv knelt there uncertainly, wondering whether to take it as a 
compliment.
       After several moments, the majestic form of Mistress 10 spoke. The small 
delicate full lips moved slowly and deliberately. "We'll just have to see about 
that. As for now, I've located a target whose aura is worthy of our time. This 
young lady..."
       The open door to darkness wavered between her and Zediv, a blurred image 
of a tall, suave, sandy-haired man, no woman appeared. Zediv looked up, and 
noted every detail, telepathically linking the newly received information to the 
collective mind for all the soldiers to access should they look up the data.
       "We will attack very soon. And should those 'defenders of Earth' appear, 
we'll be ready for them this time. Tell the soldier you're sending about this 
possibility and to use more secrecy until we've figure out these attackers 
abilities and their number. You have you assignment, Zediv. I expect results by 
the end of the day..."
       Zediv bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Understood. I'll send Soldier 
07, Strike, to handle the matter this time."
       Mistress Ten raised an eyebrow from where she where languidly reclining 
in her throne. Her striking blood-red hair rustled, as if alive. "Isn't he one 
of the best?"
       "Hai. If he has trouble with these attackers, then we should be wary. 
However, as you well know, he is more powerful than the strongest of Mistress 
9's cronies..."     

Roughly around 4:30 PM on July 5th...

       Usagi frowned. She studied the screens impatiently. Shimatta, she cursed 
silently in her mind. Two days and nearly absolute zilch. Hn... not a total loss 
on practicing mass conversion abilities though...  She chuckled mirthlessly. 
Although it nearly took me twenty tries to get it right. Still, I think it was 
worth it. She gazed with renewed pride at the intensely sophisticated and 
complex computer systems she had fixed into her bedroom. 
       I'll have to put it somewhere else later for secrecy but for now... Usagi 
stared in slight exasperation at the scanning porgrams she'd created. 
Reviewing's paid off, though I still have a *long* way to go... But, anything on 
this new enemy is nearly impossible to locate. They're probably located in a 
sealed pocket dimension or something of the like. The plane scanners haven't 
detected anything unusual with the surrounding matter, no dark energy was found 
in this entire solar system! Usagi sighed. I'm taking a break. I can't do 
anything else until the enemy makes another stunningly stupid appearance. 
        She pushed herself wearily from one of the many keyboards occuping her 
desk and stretched. "Uh..." she grunted. "Well..." Usagi said dryly to herself, 
her soft sophrano ringing through the room, "I also think I may want to continue 
practicing the melodic arts again... how about piano? Flute? ..." At the word 
flute, Usagi suddnly remembered Alan and Ann. Humm... I wonder if I can locate 
them later and visit...

       Haruka sighed moodily, swinging onto her sleek motorcycle. I'm running a 
little late, she noticed grimly, the others probably are all there already... 
Hm. It's okay, I'll just lay on some speed and I'll make it no worse for the 
wear. She started up the engine, revving it up.
       I guess I shouldn't have stayed so organizing that upcoming track race on 
Sunday, but I guess- The sudden silence of the area suddenly registered on her 
senses. Hey, why's everything so quiet? I know those sparrows have a tendancy to 
sing around this time of day-
       A sleek, tentacle curled around her throat and waist, lifting her 
smoothly off her vehicle and throwing her off several feet the left into the 
same strand of tree Haruka had been contemplating bare seconds before.
       "Uh!" Haruka gasped, dazed by her abrupt fall. "What the-" She froze as 
the sight of the glossy alien registered. Isn't that one of the creatures that 
attacked Unazuki Furuhata two days ago?
        Apparently seeing that Haruka wasn't going to move the demon closed in 
on her, blades suddenly extracting themselves from several of ttentacles lining 
it's back, and striking towards her. Haruka quickly tried to dodge, halfway 
succeeding as some of the glittering edges missed. She stood up shakily, blood 
trickling from the neat thin lines marring her skin. Haruka reacted, flying 
forward with incredible speed, giving the demon hard punches to its abdomen, and 
lashing an inside high kick. The demon was surprised and gave her a slashing 
rake across her chest with his left arm's elbow blade. Haruka fell back and 
tried to reach for her transformation pen, but was suddenly shocked into 
submission, as the alien's chill hands suddenly closed upon her throat's 
pressure points from behind, knocking her out. 
       Shimatta, Haruka thought, as she fell into darkness. There's poison... 
The inflicted cuts burned unmercifully.
        Strike remarked in his attached link to the 
collective mind, unbothered by Haruka's attacks on him,  He moved the two 
specially implanted appendages around the target's throat and activated the 
suckers, while removing his hands, using his limber tentacle only to hold the 
female up.  Strike reported, 
grimancing tightly at the agony flooding his nerves.  He was cut 
off as the brilliant light of Haruka's star seed suddenly hit him. Its 
appearance stunned even him, one of the most hardened minds known to ignore gore 
and beauty.  he remarked, his conditioning fraying wide open 
at the sight,  
       He reached for the shining star.

       Usagi jerked back in shock, nearly dropping the cup of water she just 
poured. What- She shoved her chair away from the table she had just been 
relaxing in. They've struck again! She dashed to her bedroom, checking. The 
sensors were going wild, reading were pouring in.
       Usagi smiled grimly, Got 'cha. But who is their target this time? She sat 
for a moment pondering... reaching out the see if she could identify the energy 
signature. Her eyes snapped open. "URANUS!"

       "Hey, you guys," Ami commented worriedly, "Where's Haruka?"
       Rei frowned. "Yeah, she should have been here by now."
       Michiru pursed her lips thoughtfully, an odd chill forming in the center 
of her heart. Haruka? She thought worriedly, but felt nothing from their link. 
Then she remembered. "Oh, I just remembered! Haruka called me before I left for 
the temple that she might have to stay behind a bit to study something about soe 
track meet coming up."
        "Oh," said most of the other senshi at the same time.
        "Michiru," Hotaru said slowly, "don't you and Setsuna feel a little 
weird?"
        Hesitating, they both nodded, glancing at each other. Hotaru frowned. 
"Do you feel anything from your link?"
        "No," Michiru answered uncertainly.
        "Panic? Worry? Battle-feel?"
        "No, just nothing..."
        Pluto looked uneasy. "Well, let's see if anything happens later... As 
for now, let's turn to the problem at hand. Who are these new enemies..."

        Usagi flitted through the branches with an ease that would've made 
Neptune and Uranus jealous had they been in a position to appreciate it. "Shit, 
shit, shit, shitshitshit..." Usagi repeated the word over and over as she came 
into view of the demon with a lifeless looking Haruka on the ground next to it, 
apparently heavily injurned. Blood was slowly pooling from some serious wound 
that Usagi couldn't see yet. "Shit."
        She crouched on a branch uncertainly. "What the hell am I going to do?" 
she muttered to herself. "Hell, what am I doing anyway? It's not like I owe 
them..." She grimanaced, memories of Haruka mischievously ruffling her hair. 
"Odango." The echoing cheerful voice came into her mind. She sighed. "No, I 
don't owe tham, I owe it to myself. If I refuse to help, I'll lose something; if 
I do, I might not gain anything, but I won't lose that something..." Honor and 
loyalty, the words brushed lightly through her mind. 
       The alien was looking around, his hearing obviously acute for Usagi's 
soft murmurings to be picked up.
       
       Telepathy, Usagi noted with interest. I'm going to stop him, but I still 
don't want them to know that I'm helping them. They might get the wrong idea... 
A disguise seems to be in order. Hm... this might actually be fun...
       Strike shifted restlessly, and moved as if to leave and ignore 
investigating the odd sounds he had picked up.
       "Hold it. LUNAR NIGHT DESCEND!!!" a ringing feminine voice rang from the 
trees. A blanket of darkness seemed to briefly cover a particular tree. When it 
vanished, *she* dropped to the ground. Silent and lethal. 
        A stunning, tall, lithe woman meet Strike's eyes, seeming to be one of 
darkness herself. Long obsidian hair was plaited into a single thick briad that 
fell below her knees. Her two piece uniform was stunningly fitted, the raven 
skirt covereing halfway to her thighs, fanning out crisply. It was fastened with 
a golden chain, lined with tiny translucent pearls underneath, around her bare 
slender waist with a large circular Silver Crystal in the center. Her silver top 
had a jet-black Sailor-like collar fastened with a medium sized ivory pearl 
ringed with two tiny leaflets of shining gold. Similar pearls formed the hem for 
the tight silvery tank top. She shifted her knee-length, dark silver boots, 
swaying her long dark braid, and crossed her elbow-length, dark silver gloves, 
which had a slight flare at the open end like her boots. The dimming light fell 
across her pale, etheral face and caught the slim faceted hexagonal ruby in the 
center of her forehead, strung by a fine crescent linked chain framed by long 
elegant bangs of darkness. Her small mouth twisted ruefully, and her dark 
cerulean eyes stared straight into his soul. Endless, eternal, far-seeing eyes 
that froze his heart and stopped him where he stood.
       "Atashi wa Sailor Eclipse desu," she introduced.  "Dare da?"
       Strike could only stammer out a reply, the charisma the dark lady emitted 
rivaled Mistress 10's.  Is she one of the attackers 
that took out Orion? I wouldn't be surprised, she looks like she can take out 
Mistrees 10 herself...
       "Strike, I give you one chance to retreat, otherwise I will be forced to 
deal with you accordingly in the defense of Earth. " Sailor Eclipse whispered, 
the words, repeating on the wind.
        Strike retailated 
strictly, sending in a brief report on what he could see of the mysterious 
figure. 
       The figure smiled sadly. "One with honor. Pity, but you harm the safety 
of Earth." She stood there waiting a moment. "Imperial Sky Condensation Block!" 
An enormous dome of clear energy surrounded her and the demon. "I offer you a 
fair fight."
       The demon hesitated and tried to teleport out. It didn't work, and it 
narrowed it's crimson eyes. 
       "Yes. The only way out is by defeating me. Hajime!"
       Strike secured the heart crystal and charged.
       "Moon Eclipse Vengenance BLAST!!!"

       A light, comically polite, knock sounded from outside the dojo door where 
the Sailor senshi were debating.
       They all tensed, and Rei shrugged it off. "Grandpa~ I thought I told you 
I was studying with my friends right now! What do you want?"
       Silence, then the knock came again, more firm and insistant.
       Michiru shuddered then felt... "Haruka?!" She started for the sliding 
door, but Rei beat her to it and quickly yanked it open.
       An unfamiliar dark figure with a voluminous cloak of darkest ebony stood 
expressionlessly outside of the dojo. Thick lashed eyes looked emotionlessly at 
the unfriendly senshi. An icy wind blew up, rustling the thick leaves of the 
trees and causing the many sakura blossoms to fall silently around the night 
shrouded form. 
       The senshi noticed the fire caught in the shimmering ruby placed on the 
forehead of the woman where their own tiara's jewel would've been displayed.
       Behind Rei, the sacred fire in the room flared, erupting from its steady 
crackling to a roaring inferno. The senshi all started, moving slightly away 
from it, Rei gasped and the lady blinked in slight reaction.
       "Dare da!?" Rei snapped unfriendly, unsettled by the sudden surge from 
the fire. "Anta Sailor senshi!"
       A wry smile twisted her pale lips briefly and she took a step back. 
"That's not your concern," her low, husky voice murmured darkly. "Your worries 
belong with her..."
       The cloak parted to reveal the ragged, still form of a very familiar face 
sprawled motionlessly in the mysterious woman's arms. A glittering crystal was 
sunk halfway into the sandy-haired woman's chest, not entirely melded in.
        "HARUKA!!!" Michiru shouted hoarsely, the others' shouts right behind 
her.
        Michiru surged forward and the figure obligingly transferred Haruka into 
Michiru's arms. The senshi circled Haruka instinctly and the woman took the 
opportunity to vanish quickly back into the disappearing glow of the fiery 
sunset.
        After seeing Haruka's heart crystal safely rejoin her body, some of the 
senshi suddenly remembered the dark person who carried Haruka back and realized 
she wasn't there. 
       "Nani?! She's gone!" Makoto exclaimed.
       "I wonder who she was," Ami said tightly, still checking over Haruka's 
injuries.
       "Let's think about that after we make sure Haruka's okay, alright?" Rei's 
strained voice drifted over.
       They all turned their attention back to Haruka and anxiously watched 
Saturn move to heal her.

Two days after the attack...

       An odd man deftly slipped into a payphone nearby. The coin he inserted 
glittering on the way into the slot, he pressed a number in quickly and waited. 
After the first ring, it was picked up. Total silence was at the other end. The 
man murmured softly, a hint of madness in his tone.
        "Hi~" he gushed in perfect English, "Tell the boss I've found it! For 
some reason the two items are separated but the scientist-man was right- My 
partner and I will move immediately, we should have the Princess delivered to 
you by the end of the day along with the Silver Crystal-"

       This isn't working. Mistress Ten meticulously analyzed. For some reason 
we're being stopped at evry angle... She thought stormily, a foul mood shrouded 
her form. She tapped her immalculate fingers lightly on the obsidian marble that 
formed one of the cold supports of her intimidating throne. She let out a sigh, 
and starting scanning for the next suitable target through her portals.
       ...Perhaps these foul-ups are Zediv's doing... however, eliminating him 
for no reason is dangerous besides unbeneficial. It takes too long for another 
to learn the routines and Zedivs the best so far... I think I'll try the next 
one myself. If it succeeds, then I'm going to have a few words with Zediv. If 
I'm no wrong about him, he should be able to sense my mood right now... He's 
smart. I don't think he'll be foolish enough to go against me in this situation. 
Mistress narrowed her terrifyingly beautiful eyes. Ah, here's a suitable person. 
His aura is most intriguing. The most promising yet...
       The wavering form of a muscular, stonic, young Japanese man wearing a 
traditional white dogi was displayed upon the screen.  

       Haruka awoke dazedly to find Michiru sound asleep beside her bed.
       Nanni? Kami, it's been a day already! I didn't think she'd be this upset 
over this incident! Especially since we said nothing mattered more than the 
mission... Haruka's thoughts trailed off as she remembered the battle-riddled 
days of Pharaoh 90 and what they'd found in the end. Well, I guess some things 
matter more than the mission... She stared fondly, if slightly exasperated, at  
Michiru with her sentimental attitude. Unbidden, the carefree laughter of a 
silver angel flitted through her mind. "Ruka-chan!" the dim echo came to 
Haruka's ears. "Ruka-chan!" Haruka's eyes darkened. Usa-chan...
       "Ruka-chan!" Michiru's breathless voice broke into Haruka's downwinding 
thoughts. "You're awake!"
       For a long moment, Haruka thought she might start crying all over again 
like when Saturn finally patched her up and she had awakened. "Oh, stop it!" she 
told Michiru irritatedly. "I'm okay, so don't do that!"
       "But- But- You shouldn't be up so soon!"
       "What are you talking about? Don't you remember that we went to musical 
recitals in front of some few hundred people two hours right after being kicked 
around by Pharaoh 90's henchmen?" Haruka replied in annoyance. Haruka wasn't one 
who loved to be coddled.
       Realizing that Haruka didn't like being handled around as if she were 
something fraile that was to break any second, Michiru conceded that Haruka had 
a poiint in what she had just said. "Well, still," her voice abruptly becoming 
firm and resolute, "you're taking it easy today, no matter *what* you say! 
You're going shopping with Setsuna and me."
       Haruka's eyes widened. Shopping? I do NOT like this! "But I have an important track meet today!" Haruka saidd in protest. 
       Michiru smiled smugly. "I took the liberty of canceling it earlier this 
morning while you were asleep."
       Haruka's jaw fell open. "NANI!!? Michiru! That was one of the most im-"
       "I don't care, racing in a narrow car at over 130 mph is not my idea of 
taking it easy. You're going shopping with us."
       "But-"
       "No buts. You're going."
       "Michiru!"

Later in the afternoon...

       Lunar Disruption Execution, Starpoint Energy Liquify, Sea Star Tidal Wave 
Termination, Fire Star Nova Flare, Imperial Sky Condensation Block, Moon Eclipse 
Vengeance Blast, Stealth Elemental Unity Beam Strike, and that new diguise coded 
Lunar Night Descend, Usagi mentally ran through a list of the attacks she had in 
her possession. Not bad, she thought to herself in satisfaction, I'm improving. 
She shifted the bags of store-bought items she had, sighing. Well, I've got some 
new clothes, some new items that I may need for the teleportation tests, and I 
think I'll go restock the refrigerator next-
      A shadow fell across her. Usagi stopped where was, in the back alley she 
decided to cut through on the way to the market, and looked up to see the 
musculine woman, no man blocking her way. The dimmed light flickered off the 
shining razors fitted over his hands. "Konnichiwa! I believe you have something 
important that I want... Sailor senshi, or rather Guradian."
       Usagi's eyes widened.

       Ryu strolled down some of the more secluded streets quietly, deep in 
thought. He was still wearing his usual gear, despite the advice Ken had given 
to change ino something more appropriate for wandering around one of Tokyo's 
more finer areas. He lookd up as the sound of ifghting reached his ears and 
snapped him out of his reverie
       Nanni? Ryu stared, then pinpointed the source of noise in one of the 
alleys. He instantly headed that way, something in his instincts directing him 
to see what unpleasant situation was up.
       What he found was far less than unpleasant.
       Vega! What's he doing here!? He must be after the Princess too- who's 
that blonde he's fighting with?
       The blonde dodged Vega's slashing attacks, dropping the bags she had been 
carrying, a punch connected solidly and she was knocked into the brick wall 
behind her.
       Ryu stared, K'so that girl's going to be toast! I've got to help.   He 
hesitated, but then that will blow my cover.  That hesitation would guide him 
into the darkest truth.  
       "Kisama!" the girl snarled in Japanese.  A blinding flare of light stung 
Ryu's vision. Nanni?  
       "AHH!" Vega shielded his masked face.   It dimmed and Ryu saw a perfect 
curving crescent moon, tips pointing upward, shimmering violently in the center 
of the girl's forehead.  The girl seemed very upset...
       "Lunar," a fist sized energy ball formed in her palm, expanding rapidly, "Disruption, "the energy cackled wildly, "Execution!" She screamed completing 
the phase, a powerful wave of energy that looked like it was capable to destroy 
the sun streaked toward Vega, who barely noticed in time and dodged.  The girl 
gaped, not believing anyone could move that fast and recovered when she realized 
the energy mass was going to total some buildings.  
        "Decrease to lowest intensity," she ordered, the globe shrunk and 
dimmed. As it impacted it decimated a couple of buildings, creating a crater 
with a radius of two miles.  
        Holy- she must be the guardian of the Silver Crystal I'm looking for.  
She's looks kind of familiar, maybe I've seen her before, like on the newspaper.  
The girl saw Vega recovering and sprinted away.   
        I'm going to have to go after her, whatever she has that Bison wants 
from her she still has.  Ryu raced after her.  She's heading to... the park?

        This is not going well. In fact it's the worst day I've had so far since 
last Sunday. First I find that I have to stop training for supplies, then I lost 
all of it when that dangerous crazy behind attacked me.  He's physically strong, 
but sucks in supernatural abilities.  That's the only advantage I have over him.  
        She cursed inwardly, My magical training is going great but my physical 
state is pathetic.  I should have done something about that.  I *will* when I 
get out of this.  What in hell does that ugly man want from me?  Maybe it's 
because I'm carrying around the Silver Imperial Crystal or I'm the Moon 
Princess?  
        She shrugged.  Never mind.  Whatever my physical state, I can run.  I'll 
head for the nearest park.  It'd be a safer place to duel. I can't believe how 
stupid I was in firing that energy ball at him and revealing myself, plus 
destroying a couple of buildings.  With any luck, if the other Sailor jerks hear 
of it, they'll blame it on the guy instead of me, since they think I'm an 
invalid. Usagi chuckled mirthlessly. 
       Ah, there's the park. There's almost no time to prepare.  She felt the 
man going after her, through his moving ki.  He's fast but not fast as me or 
enduring.  Usagi spotted a tree and leapt for it, jumping ten feet and swinging 
onto a thick branch and crouching, recovering and building up her energy.  
Whatever this damn asshole wants I'm not going to give it up without a fight.

         Ryu chased after the girl and Vega.  That girl can definitely run, he 
decided, it's a strain to keep up with her.  But then, she had a lead.  He saw 
her jump ten feet onto a tree in the park when he was a couple of yards away.  
He cursed as he saw Vega reach her before he did. 
        Damn.  Then he noticed the ominous huge shadow close by Vega and became 
extremely exasperated.  Is everyone with Bison in on this chase?

         There's the ugly SOB again, Usagi noted.  I'm ready for him. She tuned 
into his distinctive energy signature.  No matter how fast he could move she'd 
know where he'd be.  He immediately looked up as he reached the park.  So he's 
not entirely stupid, or maybe it's just blind luck.  
         "Come on down, Guardian," he said sinisterly.
         Dumb, leaking information so carelessly. So they're targeting the 
crystal, not me. They simply don't know I'm the moon princess or they think Naru 
is, either way is fine with me.  "Yeah, right, whoever you are, I don't know 
what the hell you're talking about." Better play it on just in case.  
         "I'm not a fool," the man snapped, slashing at the tree. It snapped, 
the trunk falling at his attack.  
         You sure act like it. Man, he's strong.  Fine, let's drop the act. 
"Like I'd really give it to *you*," she sneered at him as she nimbly landed, 
taking the impact easily.  He slashed at her, and she dodged.  Imperial Sky 
Condensation Block, the shield appeared immediately providing protection from 
his attacks. She placed it in temporary mode for the moment. Usagi studied him 
more carefully.  He seemed surprised that he couldn't get to her. 
         "Arrgh," he snarled slicing at the air that kept him from her.  The 
weird man was wearing a 'Phantom of the Opera' mask, spandex pants, high socks, 
corny shoes and a slip-over-hand claw on his left hand with a couple of arm 
bracelets.  His dark gold hair was in a braid. 
         No wonder my first impression of him had been a demented female maniac. 
Abruptly the force field collapsed.  What? It should have held for a minute 
longer-  
         "Got you, you bitch!" Another crazy man crushed her in his arms. Geez, 
but is this day going well.  Usagi berated herself. I should have noticed the 
other energy signature The man would have some backup-  She twisted slightly to 
get a look at the man who had her.  She froze, damn is he an ugly-  
         "Let her go, Sagat!" a powerful voice commanded.  Sagat, the one who 
had her, was tall and overloaded with muscles, which bulged from every single 
square inch of him.  He wore only a pair of boxing shorts with some bandages 
wrapped around his arms and legs. There was a nasty scar slashing diagonally 
across his chest and he displayed a black eye patch on his left eye.  Sagat was 
barefoot and *really* bald, not a single strand of hair.  
          At the unknown voice she turned to look, as did Sagat. The new insane 
man didn't look absolutely demented.  He was muscular to his frame and wore a 
slightly ragged white gi.  He was sort of handsome, possessing very dark liquid 
brown eyes and a slightly lighter shade of rich earth colored hair.  It was 
short, tousled, and thick with resplendent bangs slightly falling over his 
forehead.  Also barefoot, he had a red ribbon around his forehead with some sort 
of combat gloves on each of his hands as well.  He looked strangely familiar...
         "Ryu!" the ugly SOB who was holing her snarled.  
         "Sagat," the one called Vega said in a low voice. "You know our 
orders..."  
         "To hell with Bison orders!" Sagat growled, "Ryu, you're looking for 
the Crystal? We've located it first and we'll do the same with the Princess!" 
         Usagi looked and felt seriously amused, These people have the weirdest 
names... As they spoke tensely to each other she took stock of the situation and 
planned her moves. Now, if this Sagat would loosen his arms a little... 
         "Afraid to fight me face-to-face Sagat? Typical of you to hide behind 
an innocent girl," the one named Ryu sneered slightly.  
         Sagat turned slightly purple and thrust her into the Vega's arms. "I 
challenge you! Let's see your honor!"  
         Baka, Usagi thought inwardly. Starpoint Energy Liquify! she thought of 
the attack rapidly and shoved a finger at point-blank range into Vega's bare 
chest.  For some unknown method, he had detected her and twisted to the side so 
that she had missed his heart. The blast went wild and only scorched him a 
little.  Usagi didn't let it bother her for long.  The only thing left for her 
to do was to react.  So she did.  
         The beam had *shocked* him enough so that she twisted easily and 
escaped.  She readied herself.  
         No more games.  Usagi concentrated seriously this time, springing back 
quickly, avoiding Sagat who was squaring off with the other man named Ryu.  
         I can tell Vega and Sagat certainly aren't friends, but Ryu... I'll 
sort it out later, right now it's trust no one. She levitated. I'm not going to 
miss this shot.  
        Sea Star Tidal Wave Termination! she incited inside her mind with the 
best muffling effect she could make.  A huge sprawling wave of liquid nitrogen 
integrated with freezing water and magical energy rushed toward the man, 
spanning about six meters.  He dodged, it didn't do him any good.  He shrieked 
when the water hit him and disintegrated into a flying mass of sparkling ice.  
Usagi didn't linger over her success, the fight wasn't over yet, and there were 
still two possible enemies behind her.  She spun around alert, setting her 
perceptions to any kind of evolved life form. Everything, as of right now, is an 
enemy.  She froze in shock as she realized something.  Ryu was a friend, 
official evidence was pointing that out now.  
        "Watch out!" she screamed unable to do anything as two elite-class 
demons came out from behind him and wrapped their segregated tentacles around 
him, cutting into his flesh deeply.  He jerked back in surprise then spasmed 
wildly with pain, reacting instantly to the venom the demons carried in their 
blades.  This could be a trap but if the man really is an innocent, but stupidly 
helpful bystander, it would be all my fault if he was hurt. I don't want that to 
happen, even if it demanded a couple of bruises from me, thought Usagi quickly 
and grinned.  She was enjoying the workout in a sadist sort of way.
        
         Ryu blocked another punch from Sagat.  It was hard to continue; he 
wasn't prepared for this when he went for a stroll.  He concentrated very hard 
on Sagat, he's improved, but then so have I.  He blocked another blow and threw 
one of his own.  
         Out of the corner of his eye he saw the girl blast Vega into oblivion 
with some move he never saw before. The careless ease shocked him.  I hope I can 
negotiate something with her about the crystal instead of facing off with her.  
It'd be much more pleasant.  He saw her turn towards Sagat and him, her face 
breaking out into an expression of shock as she looked at him.  
         "Watch out!" she shrieked at him.
         What is she talking about? I'm watching Sagat, very closely.  Long, 
slimy tentacles abruptly pulled him away from his engagement.  Hey- Ryu thought, 
razor blades sliced into his arms. He was held in place by the firm blades. It 
hurts pretty bad, but it isn't exactly excruciating, Ryu registered. Then pain 
attacked his senses. 
          He jerked in involuntary reaction.  He gasped slightly at the sudden 
agony coursing through his veins.  Sagat, not noticing Ryu's attackers, whoever 
they were, threw in a hard thrust. It went unblocked and cracked along his 
temple.  Ryu was instantly sent into darkness, away from the pain.  His last 
thought was that he probably wouldn't wake up.  

Moments earlier...
         Mistress Ten looked through the crystalline observation pool. "Keen, 
and Mourn!" she ordered.
         came two answering telepathic answers. 
        "The new target is there," Mistress Ten informed them, sending the data 
along the link.  "Get him," she commanded.
        "Heard and obeyed," they said and vanished from their position in 
headquarters.

         That is very unfair.  Sagat threw a hard punch at a restrained Ryu, 
faltering slightly as he *finally* noticed the demons.  As a result the punch 
was slightly off.
         No kidding. If it was me, the sight of those creepy things would set my 
aim off too.  Ryu seems to have taken 50% impact, the left demon holding him 
took the other 50.  Usagi observed with interest. The demon collapsed, stunned 
temporarily by the impact.  Ryu slumped over.  She felt his life force, which 
was good.  It indicated he was still alive. Privately she was surprised, since 
it took a lot to merely stun the demons.  Usagi wondered whether if Ryu could 
have survived full impact.  
        It looks like to me it would have broken his neck very efficiently.   
The other demon reacted and blew Sagat away, using its energy.  It hesitated as 
if wondering if to help its partner and evidently decided not to.  As the left 
demon had fell his blades sliced all the way down Ryu arm, leaving nasty cuts.  
The one still standing slid three tentacles around Ryu's waist and another 
around the upper part of his neck.  It then placed a tentacle that was bare but 
possessing suckers on the lower part of Ryu's throat, across the hollow.  Hey- 
they aren't going to, Kami.  What's so special about him, that Mistress 10 wants 
his heart crystal? Never mind that. If they want it, I won't, sure as hell, let 
them get it. Lunar Night Descend, she transformed, belatedly.  
         The suckers contracted and a stunning glow ensured.  Ryu, even though 
unconscious, wrenched in pain and went completely limp.  From the hollow of his 
throat a twelve-point crystal appeared.  It was the usual, a dominant four-point 
cross and two small ones extending from each right angle with a small circular 
center crystal with the points nearly contacting with it.  
         What was *different* though was that the points were clear and flashing 
silver instead of red and the center flared a cerulean blue instead of a 
sparkling white.  It cast light for a radius of twelve miles.  It made the sun 
look dim in comparison.  Holy- it *is* different from all the others I've 
seen...  That worried her, it also worried her that Ryu could die on her.  
         The demon wrapped a slimy tentacle around the heart crystal.  It seemed 
amazed at it as much as she was.  It let Ryu fell to the ground, sliced up very 
badly. His blood pooled steadily over the ground he laid on.  
          Usagi fervently hoped she could fix him up. I'm going to have to get 
his crystal back before I do anything. If I don't, any attempt to heal him will 
be useless.   There's no use for it, Usagi thought inwardly, I have to use a 
verbal incantation. I just *hate* saying stuff aloud... "Stealth Elemental Unity 
Beam Strike," she screamed.  A precise energy shaft lance toward the demon in 
the millionth of a second. 
         It didn't miss.  
          the monster screamed. It fell in a smoldering heap of excrement.  
The crystal hovered in perfect tranquillity.  She moved.  
         So help me, haul butt! Usagi thought to herself.  She swooped and 
snatched the crystal.  Unfortunately someone got there before her. 
         It was ANOTHER crazy man.  Usagi was near a critical mass point, her 
day was bad enough.  She ran into four probable psychopaths, two demons, and had 
a hell of a hangover from yesterday's practice which she had stubbornly refused 
to admit earlier.  In all she was not feeling very patient as she usually was.  
         Still, Usagi realized later, it wasn't an excuse for what I did next. 
It was a breach of training.  
         She cursed vilely in every single language she could remember at the 
moment that no one should ever know and snapped, "To hell with it! What about 
heart crystals?! All I want right now is to punch in your sorry excuse for a 
face!"  
         Then she took a proper profile of the man and realized her last 
sentence was far too kind.  The new man had a face that looked like a cross 
between a yak, a monkey, a mastiff, and a piece of wrinkled leather.  She 
couldn't tell if he had any hair. He was wearing this kinky hat and a similar 
form of a military uniform.  He was levitating as well as her.  
         "Well, well," the heinous man said," what's this?" He picked up the 
crystal, examing it closely.  "It omits a power I have never felt before. Hmmm," 
he then looked at Ryu sprawled on the floor and then at Usagi.  He smiled with 
the vile mockery of a face and faced her.  "Ah, so you are the guardian of the 
Imperial Crystal.  Very impressive moves. I don't believe I've seen anything 
like them. I give you a choice. Join the Shadowlaw forces as my soldier or die."
         Usagi nearly fell over with the ridiculous meaning of the man's words.  
Due to the other idiots who attacked me... this is probably Bison.  She clasped 
her head, moaning. "Headache. I most definitely have a headache."  Usagi looked 
up at the staring man who didn't have a clue and said tiredly to him, "Listen... 
Buffalo, I am having a truly bad day," her voice rose steadily, "I have been 
mauled, annoyed, bruised, attacked, surprised, and it is more than I can handle! 
Hand the crystal over or else I'm going to take everyone's sorry carcass in a 
barbecue roast!"
         "My name is Bison and you will soon learn to obey me. Just how are you 
planning to dare try and oppose me?" Bison smiled even wider, revealing sharp 
canines and huge teeth.
         "I," Usagi said slowly in pointed emphasis, "have no patience for 
this."  The crystal was suddenly encased with a clear circular shield along with 
Ryu.  Very slowly, nearly gently Usagi uttered, "Fire. Star. Nova." She snarled 
out, shrieking the last word, "FLARE!"  Bison's eyes widened and he instantly 
teleported, the blaze scorching him badly, which missed frying him in a space 
less than a hair.  The recovering Sagat and other demon along with the corpse of 
the other alien were caught. Their last words were subconsciously spoken in 
unison as a sudden energy field engulfed them, OH SHIT!

          Well, that's that, Usagi thought tiredly, viewing the vast destruction 
she had wrought.  Nothing I can do about it. I already released the damn energy 
resonance. Brilliant of me leaving a hole in the ground covering 5 miles square.  
I wonder if anyone will notice... Usagi broke out laughing in her mind. 
         I'm losing it here, Usagi thought frantically, recovering fast.  A 
sudden Sharp twinge in her mind made her wince.  
         K'so. Ryu! Usagi turned hurriedly, facing him and lowered herself to 
the ground.  She removed the shield hurriedly and checked him over. Usagi 
repeated herself yet again.  K'so. He must have lost at least two quarts of 
blood! ? Overall injuries: a fractured skull, broken ribs, third-degree burns, 
severe slices, cut tendons, not to mention other fractures and bruises! I can't 
heal him in this state. I'd kill him if I used that light degree of energy! I'll 
need to use a healing chamber... but it'd take at least a couple of minutes to 
construct! I'll have to hand him to a hospital first for a short while so they 
can stabilize while I erect the chamber in... um... the basement.  She decide 
getting up, Wait, his heart crystal! She called it to her the shield melted away 
and it hovered in her hand. She examined it closely. It's different from the 
others, all right! I'll examine it later. She allowed the crystal to sink back 
into Ryu's body.  It flashed as it entered and Ryu's color improved slightly. To 
get a hospital to accept such a rude entrance without question means I'm going 
to have to make a known and trusted entrance, Usagi grimaced, and the only thing 
I have for that is transforming into Eternal Sailor Moon.  Usagi stood up and 
spread her left hand, a gold brooch of a heart with an upward pointing crescent 
moon overlapping the end materialized there. And I thought I would never touch 
*this* thing again. Ha, fat luck!  
         "Moon Eternal," she said raising the brooch over her head, "MAKE-UP" 
Ribbons of energy twined around her and transformed into a multi-colored uniform 
complete with spread wings.  She picked up Ryu gently and went at a smooth dash 
to the nearest hospital...

         Setsuna's eyes snapped open wide, she had been resting on a bench while 
Michiru and Haruka were discussing where to go next to shop.  Michiru stopped as 
she noticed Setsuna's unusual agitated behavior, "Setsuna, what's wrong?" 
         "It's Usagi," Setsuna said in a strained voice, "she's transformed into 
Eternal Sailor Moon."
         "What! I thought we warned her off on that!" Michiru's shocked reply to 
Setsuna's sentence.
         "Actually," Haruka said leaning on the bench Setsuna was sitting, "I'm 
surprised she hadn't transformed before now. It's been a almost a week since we 
heard from her."
         "That isn't the point!" Setsuna said frigidly.
          "Then what is? What do you want to do? Chase after her? Capture her? 
What?" Haruka said coldly as she suddenly straightened up and shoved her hands 
deep into the pockets of the baggy silk pants she was wearing.
         "Haruka! You're not saying you still care for her, are you? She's a 
threat to us!" Michiru said empathetically to her. 
         "In what way?" Haruka muttered rebelliously.  
         Setsuna abruptly stood up, "We'll discuss this later, but now we have 
to see why Usagi transformed into Eternal Sailor Moon."
         Michiru nodded, and Haruka just stared pointedly ahead.
         "Haruka?" Setsuna said.
         "Yes, of course," Haruka finally said. 
         "Michiru, we'll need the Mirror to locate her," Setsuna continued after 
Haruka's reply. 
         "We need to transform?" Haruka said looking up at Setsuna. 
         "It is best to, just in case," Setsuna said. A small wand appeared in 
her right hand, "Pluto Crystal Power MAKE-UP!"  In a burst of energy waves 
encircling her, Setsuna seemed to melt into Sailor Pluto. 
         Michiru held up her henshin wand as well, "Neptune Crystal Power MAKE-
UP!"  A circle of rushing water surrounded her and Sailor Neptune was standing 
there.
         Haruka finally followed suit and her transformation pen snapped into 
her hand. "Uranus Crystal Power MAKE-UP!" A circle of wind blown fire enveloped 
her and Sailor Uranus stood there.
         Michiru held out her hands and a glow shimmered between them. A gold 
framed, and aqua colored handheld mirror appeared in them. She gazed into it and 
said, "She's heading to a hospital..."
         "A hospital?" Haruka said incredulously," which one?"
         "This district's," came Michiru's answer.
         "Let's go," Setsuna swung the Garnet Orb, which had formed in her 
hands.  She nodded at Michiru.
         "This way," Michiru stared to run, after a pause, with the mirror held 
in a hand in front of her. 

          Usagi ran grimly with Ryu in her arms. This is stupid, she thought to 
herself.  Tthe other attacked victim and senshi... I've didn't do anything big 
for them, leaving the senshi to handle it. What's so different about this time? 
She considered her own question. There's just something about this guy that 
seems familiar to me... someone I once knew. Could he be from the Moon Kingdom? 
She accessed  her memories. No, there's nothing on him. But then he might have 
not been one of the memories I've downloaded into the locket. That probably 
means he wasn't very important, or that he meant a lot to me and I didn't want 
to risk him being found out to be used against me.  If it's the latter, I'll am 
going to remember after he dies. And I certainly don't want that to happen.  She 
leapt over a bench in her way. The hospital was finally looming up before her. 
She dashed to it, breezing past all obstacles. Usagi grew more anxious. Ryu, 
already she had gotten used to using his name, was slipping.  Suddenly she 
sensed something. 
         Oh crap! She cursed inwardly. They must have set a warning if I ever 
used this transformation.  She felt them nearing her. You are NOT going to stand 
in my way. Ex-friends or no ex-friends. She was just going to have to speed up. 
She reached the entrance and pushed it open hurriedly. Attendants nearby gasped.  
Dimly she realized she was soaked in Ryu's blood.  That was the least of her 
worries though.  "You!" She said to the nearest doctor urgently," This man, he's 
hurt! A demon attacked him! He's severely injured, you have to get medical 
attention to him immediately!" 
         "Ah, ah" the man stammered," of course. Nurse!"  Chaos ensued briefly 
and they took him away hurriedly wheeling him in to see his injuries. 
         Usagi turned away, This medical facility will only sustain him for a 
short while. I have to construct  the chamber immediately. There's no time to 
waste.  She went out and started to head back.  
         "Deep Submerge!" A huge ringed ball of shimmering water smashed into 
her. She staggered back. K'so, talk about bad timing. I don't have time to play 
this out! Ryu's going to die if I don't get that chamber together! 
         "Dead Scream," Pluto's voice came softly. A glowing violet ringed 
sphere surged toward her. She sidestepped it easily.  I'm limited to this 
transformation's attacks with them watching.  She spun her scepter in her grasp, 
I am not going to do that stupid power-up even if it kills me...  
         "Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss!" 
         The flashing light blow knocked them down.  Kami, Usagi thought in 
disgust, I don't have time for this!  She launched herself up and de-
transformed.  She constructed a portal with a wave of her hand, leading directly 
to her house. She vanished inside it. I have to pull this together. Don't you 
dare die on me Ryu, after all that trouble you involved me in!

         "Uh... what?" Neptune looked up, burning with pain. Usagi was gone.  
Neptune staggered up, feeling intense agony from her battered body, how could 
she vanish like that? Neptune shook her head, muddled for once.  Usagi's attack 
stung, Neptune knew what it was capable of though and was surprised that they 
weren't vaporized.  Setsuna must have protected us, Neptune thought, slightly 
anyway. Usagi's reaction is astonishing! She never did that before! Or did she? 
I can't remember, it all happened so fast... Her eye caught on something," 
Haruka!" Uranus was facedown on the ground, unmoving.  Neptune rushed over to 
her," Haruka!" She grasped her and turned her over. "Haruka!" she cried again, 
Uranus was breathing shallowly, her skin had an icy chill to it.   
         "Oh... " Setsuna's voice came over," what happened," she croaked out, 
confused as Neptune.
         "Pluto!" Neptune cried, remembering not to call her Setsuna in time, a 
crowd had started to gather, puzzled at their condition. They obviously hadn't 
seen Usagi.  "Uranus, she..." tears started to form at the corners of her eyes, 
Uranus had always been the soft spot in Michiru.  Pluto turned puzzled eyes at 
her and they widened as they registered Haruka's form.  
         "Oh, no. It must be because of the attack on her last time, I..." 
Flickers of memories of the fight started to re-submerge in Setsuna's mind. "-
Must have not put a strong enough shield on us, but Usagi never reacted like 
that before!"  She stood shakily up with the aide of the Garnet Key.  " It 
doesn't matter now, we need to get Uranus to a..." She stopped short. They 
*were* in front of a hospital. In this state, everyone knew Uranus had been 
wounded and would connect the similar appearance of Uranus's true identity, 
Haruka Tenoh, should she suddenly arrive at a hospital, severely hurt. 
         Setsuna cursed inwardly, but maintained a cool unfeeling mask of 
impassiveness.  "We have to get her to Saturn!"  I just hope she's up to healing 
Haruka again... Setsuna finished. Michiru looked up puzzled and abruptly made 
the connection as well. Panic flickered slightly in her eyes and she nodded 
quickly.  Carefully she lifted Uranus up, staggering, and handed her to Pluto 
even though every sense in her soul screamed for her to stay with Uranus, to see 
things through and should anything happen.  But this time Michiru refused to let 
it go. Usagi has gotten too many times in OUR way. 
         Pluto had a rarely seen surprised look in her eyes, "Neptune...?" She 
said puzzled, her awkwardly supported Uranus. 
         "I... I'm going to see why Sailormoon," Neptune put a sneer on the 
word, "came here. I'm going to make her sorry she had even heard of the Sailor 
senshi! She's going to pay for hurting Uranus!" Unreasonable hatred flared in 
her eyes.  Neptune had never really like Usagi, Pluto reflected stunned.  It was 
Uranus who had accepted her. I never thought she hated Usagi... still I would 
think that Uranus came before everything, that nothing compared against seeing 
that Uranus was all right first.  Neptune must have seen the look in Pluto's 
eyes. 
         "I know, but this time I have to see why, she might come back later to 
clear whatever she did up! I won't let her pass this time!"  Vaguely both she 
and Pluto wondered what the crowd was making of this. It wasn't everyday they 
actually got to see a senshi in person, much less three, of which one was 
wounded.  
         Pluto nodded, "Do what you think is right, I'll meet up with you 
later." She tapped the staff and a vortex spun around them from nothing and she 
and Uranus vanished. 
         The crowd murmured. 
         Neptune clenched her fists, shaking with rage. She tossed aquamarine 
hair back and stalked to the entrance of the hospital. The crowd parted before 
her, some flinching and losing their balance as they saw the terrifying 
expression in Neptune's eyes.  She slammed the doors open and came face-to-face 
with...  absolute chaos.  
         People were running back and forth along the halls shouting 
instructions, she to listen intensely and hard before catching and 
distinguishing some of the sentences they were frantically saying to one another 
that were nearest to her.  The farther away sentences faded completely into 
babble. 
         "...are you kidding me? He has a three-inch long fracture in his SKULL. 
And of which is approximately an eighth of an inch thick! To this you want to 
just sew it up! What kind of..."
         " Five-inch long, one inch deep slashes around legs and arms, he's lost 
at least three quarts of blood and his systems are barely functioning... you did 
WHAT? What sort of training did you have to suggest that we should just cut him 
to pieces with transplantation!? You! Cancel that instruction for mass 
implantation immediately do you hear! You know the last moron who did that was 
sent to... "
         "...massive head trauma, he's going to have a hell of a concussion if 
he lives through this at the very least. A coma is more likely and death is the 
very worst case scenario... What did you say? Death is a more likely possibility 
and I'm an optimist? Hey! ... Well, then again you may be right about..."
         " severed tendons, damn is this thing to take a long time to heal, at 
least it's only around the arms... BECAUSE tendons are an important part of 
movement! What sort of..."
         "...several broken ribs of which one has pierced the lung. We have to 
maneuver it out immediately! WHAT! You asked the forensics team here!! The man 
isn't dead yet! What do you mean he's good as dead? You want to WHAT! Listen, 
bub. If you want to kill that man out of mercy or not it's going to be taken as 
murder with her if Eternal Sailormoon comes back to check on him and he's in the 
morgue with your consent. Just see if she cares that you did it out of kindness! 
You'll be lucky to leave the same direction this man is going..."  Neptune eyes 
fastened on the man who had mention Usagi. It was a doctor talking to an aide 
who was looking rather pale at the prospect the doctor had sketched for him.  
The man probably has a handle on what's going on here, Michiru thought.  She 
stepped forward and grabbed the man by the front of his lapels. She lifted him 
up a foot in the air with both hands.  The startled man looked directly into her 
smoldering eyes, recognizing her. That was a mistake. He turned paler than his 
assistant did at the rage in Neptune's eyes.  "Anata. What is going on here and 
how does Eternal Sailormoon have to do with it?"  
         "Ah, well, Neptune-san. You see she came in here a couple of minutes 
ago with a severely wounded man who she claimed to have been injured by a demon. 
I was the one who intercepted her and we checked the poor fellow out. He has the 
worst possible condition you can imagine. If it were a normal case we would have 
terminated him gently, except with Sailormoon we are obligated to try and help 
until he dies. I mean, that is what we thought she meant." The man babbled on. 
         "Who is it that was bought in?" Neptune asked, her mind working at a 
furious rate.  Usagi must have bought him to the hospital... but why would she 
transform into Sailormoon just for that? If she were fighting the yoma it would 
make sense but for carrying him to the hospital? Why... would she do that? And 
how come she never showed up before? Haruka was correct on that point, Usagi had 
never showed up at battles against the demons before. We'll need to look into 
this...
         "We don't know. Not yet anyway, we're running a check out on the side, 
but that's the least of our worries. This man is dying rapidly, like I said 
before and-"the doctor continued.   
          Neptune thought fast. "Where is he?" she asked.
          "Why he's in surgery. That's what all this commotion's about. Now if 
you're finished with me, Neptune-san, I was to get some hematologists here," the 
doctor answered, suddenly remembering what he was supposed to be doing. 
         "No, I meant, where? What room," Neptune said impatiently.  
         "What are you going to do?" the man said warily.
         "I just need to check him over to make sure he isn't possess by a demon 
or something like that," Neptune said sweetly, releasing the doctor's lapels. 
"Just think of the unnecessary casualties if a demon were to eventually emerge 
from an injured man..."
         "Come this way please..." the doctor suddenly decided to authorize 
Neptune's request to check over the injured man.
         "Okay. Lead the way..." Neptune trailed after the abruptly brisk-paced 
man.
         
         Usagi landed quite roughly at her house's basement. K'so. She sprung 
back up from the dusty tile floor, wincing slightly at the abuse her behind had 
taken. No more time, she thought tensely. She took a brief glance around the 
basement and cleared an area, tossing the junk carelessly aside with her 
telekinetic abilities. I'll just straighten this out later. The basement was 
already in bad shape, cleaning would be just what it needs... later. Having 
completed that task, Usagi then sucked in a deep breath and used her powers to 
construct and design a device that hadn't been made for years from the mass of 
air using a theoretical process that only she knew. 
          This will take careful steps and consider, no existence patterns can 
be disrupted or else the whole thing will fall apart, taking a nice section of 
the house with it. But temee, it's so SLOW! Usagi grumbled to herself. The faint 
lines of a solid chamber, equipment, and monitors started to appear in the 
underground room.

    Neptune stared in shock at the devastated man. "Nani...?" she breathed, the 
rage ebbing away a little. 
    "Vital signs?" a surgeon asked, snapping on gloves.
    "Not good," announced another grimly.
    "You said that she bought him in from a demon attack..." Neptune said to the 
doctor beside her.
    "Correct."
    "Did she say anything else?"
    "Well, no... besides asking us to help him," the confused doctor replied.
    "Do you know why she just left instead of staying?" Neptune pressed.
    "Iie. Is there a problem between you two?" the doctor asked, the idea slowly 
dawning on him.
    "No, of course not," Neptune lied through her teeth. "I was just wondering 
why she didn't contact us about it.
    From the look on the doctor's face, Neptune could tell he didn't really 
believe her. He opened his mouth to press the issue when an insistent force 
pulsed.
    Looking startled, he stopped. "Nani...?"
    Neptune realized it was coming from her and hastily willed her mirror into 
existence. It has to be Setsuna... "Pluto?"
    The grim face of the garnet-eyed senshi appeared on the reflective surfaces 
of the mirror. "Neptune. We need you. Saturn isn't able to support Uranus alone. 
Come immediately to the shrine." The voice was strained as the contact abruptly 
broke off.
    "Neptune-san?" the doctor asked questioningly, worried. The aqua haired 
woman had turned pale.
    "Nothing. This man is not possessed. I have other things to attend to, 
but... I'll come back to check on this man," Neptune spoke quickly. "Gomen nasai 
for the intrusion..."  She bowed slightly and went out the door, swift as the 
surging sea.
     The doctor was more confused than ever, but relieved at the leaving of the 
intimidating senshi.

      Three. Two. One. Usagi counted silently. Now. A soft light glowed 
flickeringly, blanketing the entire room. Solid, real intruments were in place 
and ready for use. It worked. I'm ecstatic, really. Now, I have to get Ryu back 
before they actually operate him into pieces beyond repair...
     Usagi transformed again into Eternal Sailormoon and teleported once more to 
the hospital.

     "Okay, now. You have that X-ray done right? Yosh, doctors. Let's start 
operation..." a directing surgeon was saying.
      "Yamette!" a sudden female voice rang clearly.
       Startled, all of the operators present nearly dropped their tools, a very 
dangerous thing to do in a serious case like the patient they had. "Nani? 
Eternal Sailormoon? Didn't Neptune just leave..."
      Neptune? Usagi focused on that small bit. "Really? What did she say? I 
wasn't able to contact her."
      "She just checked this patient. Now, would you please leave...?"
      "Iie. No, you don't understand. I just checked with a person I knew who 
had healing abilities. She is able to help him. May I take him to her? He has a 
better chance there..."
      Dumbfounded the doctors stood there as Usagi scooped the comatose Ryu up, 
detaching all the tubes and equipment connected to him.
     "Chotto matte...!" one of them exclaimed, reaching with an outstretched arm.
     Usagi smiled at them and vanished in a halo of silvery light.
     Jaws dropped.
     One recovered and said solemnly," Gentleman, this episode never occurred. 
This clearly is a matter of the Sailor senshi and we should stay out of it." 
     They all nodded their agreement, eventually, and wiped out the records.

      Neptune appeared at a dead run, shoving the doors open to one of the rooms 
at the temple, knowing Haruka's location through the special link they shared. 
"Haruka!" she gasped. 
      Haruka's pale form lay motionless upon the futon someone had dragged out 
for her. Her usually glossy, dark golden hair was dull and a pale yellow. She 
was surrounded by senshi, glowing with the energy they were trying to transit to 
her. Cold sweat trickled down Pluto's face as she turned slightly at Neptune's 
explosive entrance. 
      "Good," she gasped out, "Help... us give power to Saturn to try and 
help... Uranus..."
      Saturn knelt beside the futon, her aura flaring out, convulsing slightly. 
Saturn didn't even bother to look up, placing all her concentration on Uranus. 
Her ragged breathing spurred Neptune into action. Quickly finding a place 
between Rei and Minako, who were also sweating heavily, she roughly sat down and 
focused her energies Saturn. Her aura was visible with a heated aqua as she 
transferred her power. 
     Kami, please, let my powers be enough to heal her...
     "No... use!" gasped Saturn hoarsely. "I can't-"
     "You can! You have to!" Neptune cried out. "Uranus needs you!"
     Saturn shuddered in exhaustion. Uranus... Usagi... help me! You were the 
real healer of the group... please... help me. Help Uranus... Usagi...

      Mamoru shoved insistently and finally managed to get the annoyingly 
resistant shirt to stay in his suitcase. Snapping it shut with a sigh of relief, 
he glanced at the clock. 
      ... My flight's going to leave in a couple of hours. Should I really 
leave? The senshi could need my help... This whole heart crystal business makes 
me very uneasy. It's almost exactly the same as when we were fighting against 
Pharaoh 90... I think I should check with the others just in case.
      Mamoru drew out his wallet from his pants pocket. Not that they're 
incapable of handling themselves. Hm... I know I have Ami's number... 
      Mamoru rummaged over his desk. Ah! Found it! He pulled out the strip of 
paper from his wallet. Walking over to the phone on the other side of the room, 
he paused as his hand rested upon the receiver. 
      I have this strange urge to call Usagi... I wish... 
      Mamoru shook his head, trying to clear it.
      What am I thinking?! He picked up the receiver and dialed Ami's number.

      Usagi gently hooked the looping wires around Ryu's athletic body and 
attached them to the monitors and life supports. There. That should do it, Usagi 
thought grimly, stabilizing vital signs. She gently clamped the metal prongs 
firmly against his head and tapped absent-minded at a keyboard nearby. The 
supplying mists swished in, light veiling the man from view of the hissing sound 
of specialized nutrient clear crystal top that covered him. She scanned the 
readings as she finished linking Ryu into all the wires that transited healing 
factors and elements into his body. She breathed a silent sigh of relief as the 
readings registered well within safe range of the healing chamber's abilities. 
     Good. Now all I have to do is watch over him and wait... Usagi thought in 
satisfaction. 
     Usagi... help me! You were the real healer of the group... please... help 
me. Help Uranus... Usagi... a haunting echo drifted over, caught by Usagi's keen 
telepathic abilities.
     Nani? Saturn? Usagi recognized the violet-eyed senshi's voice. What is... 
Uranus! 
     Usagi could see through Saturn's eyes, see a pale, motionless form of a 
shallowly breathing sandy haired woman. She could see, the other senshi gathered 
in a circle around Saturn, giving all the energy they had, trying to save 
Uranus. Usagi realized a fact.
     It isn't enough. Kami, Uranus is *dying*. How... wait. The attack I shot at 
them. Uranus must've been too weak to block it off so she- K'so. This is *my* 
fault. Usagi cursed bitterly under her breath. Uranus... Saturn's power is 
waning, as well as the other senshi. They can't heal Uranus. The injuries from 
before are too severe and deep to be healed by their limited healing abilities. 
I have to do it. I can't go there myself, but through Saturn... 
     Usagi reached out, exercising another technique and connected with Saturn's 
powers. She supported her and threw her healing power in a surging arc that 
probably left Saturn breathless with the sudden rush. Usagi sensed the amazement 
and renewed determination of Saturn's mind as she pushed her energies again, 
intent on healing Uranus. Usagi monitored her entire progress, the silent and 
unknown guide that led her on, mistaken for the subconscious.
      At least, she'll won't tell that I seem to have incredible new powers and 
that I seem to be seeing into their very minds. Usagi reflected bitterly. Too 
bad. It could've explained the weird person that showed up to save Uranus in the 
first place...
     Usagi unobserved, smoothly broke off her link with Saturn and gently rested 
her hands along the large, coffin-like shaft with the mist-hidden being inside 
of it. Now.. as long as nothing goes wrong, you'll be fine. Then you can explain 
to me why there were three bigot assholes screaming like parakeets that wanted 
to find me and the Silver Crystal. And came way too close for comfort in 
succeeding.

     Suddenly Saturn felt a new well of strength swell up within her and she 
desperately reached for it. It supported her and she gave it all she had to 
Uranus. Saturn could feel the tears and wounds that had downed Uranus seal shut 
and heal. The glow faded away from Uranus's body as she finally asorbed all the 
power the other senshi were attempting to feed her. The shimmering auras 
vanished and the senshi collapsed, detransforming on the spot.
     "Su...goi! Hotaru-chan!" gasped Ami.
     "Hai... arigato, 'Taru-chan!" Michiru panted. Tears glittered at the edges 
of her sea green eyes.
     Saturn's was gasping for breath. Even the surge of power had barely been 
enough. But... where did it come from? Saturn wondered suddenly. I know it 
could've have came from me... I already wasted a huge amount of my own energy on 
Uranus already... Usagi? Hotaru suddenly thought. Was it you? Usagi... 
     The sound of heavy breathing from the power-drained senshi filled the 
still, cool air of the peaceful night.
     The sound of snoring came from a nearby adjourning room, harsh and loud. 
Sweat-drops dotted the senshi's heads, especially on Rei's. "Thank Kami-sama 
grandpa is such a heavy sleeper," she muttered, embarrassed. 
     Bigger sweat-drops appeared.
      "..."

       Mamoru raced up the endless temple steps, wheezing slightly from his 
exertion.

A few moments ago...

       "Moshi-moshi!"
       "Ano... Mrs. Mizuno?" asked a slightly flustered Mamoru. "Um... may I 
speak to Ami for a moment please?"
       Mrs. Mizuno blinked and looked suspiciously at the receiver. The husky, 
low voice of a young man's was hardly one she expected to asking for *her* 
daughter.
       "Who's this?" she asked, a note of something creeping into her voice. 
Something that could've been protective hostility.
       "Uh... I'm a study partner of hers for computer programming," Mamoru said 
hastily, which was technically true.
       "Oh!" Mrs. Mizuno's tone changed dramatically. "I'm so sorry, Mister...?"
       "Chiba," Mamoru supplied. "Watashi wa Chiba Mamoru desu. Hajimeshite."
       "Chiba-san, could you call later? Ami went in a big hurry out the door to 
some temple for something she said was a big emergency..."
        Mamoru fell dead silent.
        "Chiba-san?" Mrs. Mizuno probed.
        "Ah..." he said, carefully hiding the sudden worry sprining in his mind. 
"Yosh. Arigato, Mizuno-san. I'll call her later. Ja!" Mamoru hurriedly hung up.
   
        "K'so. What's happened?" Mamoru muttered to himself as he finally 
reached the zenith of the stone steps. He looked around and sensed a huge 
aftermath of energy emitted from one of the small temple rooms and unhesitantly 
charged inside.
        "Minna-san! Daijoubu ka?!" he shouted as he crashed past the doors.He 
stopped short at the sight of seven exhausted senshi and a peacefully sleeping 
one.
        "Mamoru?" asked Setsuna, regaining her breath slowly.
        "Setsuna? What's going on here?" Mamoru asked, seeing that something 
*had* happened, but had passed with little incident.
        "Oh, nothing much," panted Makoto slightly, "You just missed all the 
fun... that's all..."
        "Yeah," gasped Minako, sucking in another breath.
        "Fun? What are all of you guys doing here for? What's up with Uranus?" 
Mamororu questioned in frustration.
        "Oh, nothing much," Hotaru wheezed, her train of thought distracting by 
Mamoru. "Just trying to make sure Haruka-san didn't die on us..."
        "Nanni?!"
        "Well, it's like this," Michiru started to explain to Mamoru whose jaw 
kept dropping lower and lower as Neptune told him an absolutely *fake* story of 
how Setsuna, Haruka, and her had been attacked by one of Mistress Ten's demons 
and Haruka had taken the worst of the assault. With Mamoru's attention diverted 
to her words, she privately winked at the other senshi who looked absolutely 
incredulous at her story. They blinked and got the idea. They didn't say a word 
to contradict Michiru's tale. 
         "Honto ne?" Mamoru dragged out slowly.
         I already made it as plausible as possible and he's still worrying? I 
wonder what would've happened if he knew that Usagi had been the one who 
attacked us... Michiru thought silently, observing Mamoru's preoccupied 
reactions.       
        "Maybe I shouldn't leave Tokyo," Mamoru said grimly. "You guys will 
probably need my help. The university in America can always be applied to again 
later, but this-"
        "Iie! You've delayed for over a year already!" Michiru said 
empathetically. "You should go now! Mistress Ten is nothing we can't handle! 
You're leaving on that plane in two hours, so don't go 'I don't think it's such 
a good idea' again now!"
         "Hai!" Setsuna quickly agreed, seeing what Michiru had seen to make her 
fib about what really happened. "We can handle it, don't worry about it. 
Everyone will be fine."
         Mamoru looked dubiously and it was only after several repetitions of 
assurance that they manage to hustle him out the door, back to his apartment, 
send him to the airport and see him off.  
        Mamoru threw a last worried glance over his shoulder as he walked up the 
boarding passageway.
        "Don't worry!" Ami said. "When you come back, it'd probably be all over! 
You can always call to check if you're so paranoid!"
        A small quirk twisted his mouth into a smile at Ami's words and he 
finally vanished into the plane.
        The senshi watched the airliner blast off and then all the senshi 
attacked Michiru and Setsuna.
        "What are you guys doing lying to Mamoru like that-"
        "What's the deal, here? There'd better be a very good reason-"
        Michiru sweatdropped and tried to ward off the senshi that were mostly 
assaulting her with the verbal questions.
       "Girls, girls!" Michiru hushed. "I will explain it to you. Mamoru can't 
be of any help here. He simply doesn't have to means to defend himself properly 
like we do so if he gets into the mess, what could he do that we can't? It's not 
risking the future king over something we can handle ourselves. He'll be safer 
in America than here."
       "Hai," Setsuna agreed simply. 
       "That's it?!" Makoto exclaimed.
       "It makes perfect sense," Ami said shortly.
       "..." Hotaru said nothing. Then, "We should get back to Uranus, Rei, and 
Minako. I have a feeling all of this is leading up to something BIG. We 
shouldn't leave them alone. Nor-" She looked pointedly with determination at 
Setsuna, Michiru, and Ami, "Shall we leave Usagi out of this. As of now forth, 
she's one of us. We NEED her. You can't deny that."
       Silence greeted her proclaimation.
      "I don't deny it," Michiru said softly," but consider this: No contact has 
been done with her for nearly a week. For all we know, she could be one of the 
enemy by now."
      "And whose fault is that?" Makoto said grimly. "We all still owe her an 
apology."
      "That may be so, but we still need to check if she's safe-"
      "Which won't take up too much time," Setsuna placid voice soothed, 
forstalling Hotaru and Makoto's outburst.
      "I wonder where it went," Hotaru suddenly said. "Our loyalty to friends. 
It's strange considering. Why did Chibi-usa show up again and why isn't Diana 
with her? How come she always had the moon birthmark before? How come we decided 
it all added up to Usagi? No mattter how you put it, it all leads back to her."
      "And all the answers should reside with her too..." Makoto finished 
curtly. "Kami, we're all falling apart." A dark aura seemed to surround all of 
them.
      "Ojousan!" a small soft voice chirped. "Daijoubu ka? You shouldn't be so 
sad!"
      Makoto started, and stared face-to-face with a little girl.
      She smiled, her eyes turning into cheerful crescents. "Did your friend 
just leave? Don't worry! 'Tousan left too, but he always comes back! Your friend 
will too! Don't be so sad!"
      "Ano, Gekkei!" a woman's voice rang, "Don't bother the young ladies! It's 
not polite!"
      "?" Gekkei looked up, "Hai, 'kaasan! Gomen nasai!" She apologized sweetly 
to the emerald-eyed senshi.
      "It's alright," Makoto said, smiling for the first time in weeks. A ray of 
light seemed to shine on her from a dark and stormy sky. "Arigato, Kei-chan!"
     The girl blinked. "Do itashimashite!" She gave a cheerful wave and 
scampered off to a tall stately lady with long light brown hair.
      "..." Hotaru closed her eyes and smiled softly.
      Ami stared after the girl. "Hu," she said quietly, a slight smile forming 
on her lips.
      Setsuna and Michiru looked thoughtful.
       
     Minako looked worriedly over at Uranus's still form. Everything's normal. 
Steady pulse, steady breathing, but Kami I wish she'd wake up!
     The blazing fire crackled a few feet away, Rei was seated in front of it, 
deep in meditation.
     Minako felt like rolling her eyes. She can stay calm through stuff like 
this~ Typical. Minako brooded.
     "Hey, Rei!" Minako broke the silence, unable to stand it anymore.
     "Hai?"
     "Can you explain something to me?"
     "If I can."
     "Why the HELL did you do what you guys did to Usa-chan? Do give me none of 
that because-it's-for-the-ultimate-good crap, okay? Not to be rude or anything, 
but don't you remember when we died for her at the episode with Sailor senshi 
Lead Crow? What happened, huh?" Mianko asked, frustrated.
     "I don't know. I... Are you pissed at me or something?"
     "Hell, yeah! But you *are* my friend! And what are friends if they can't 
forgive? Aren't you Usa-chan's friend? You should try telling her 
straightforward instead of pulling something like that! She will listen!"
     "Honto?"
     "You'll never know unless you give it a try right?"
     "..."
     Minako sighed. I wish to Kami-sama the others would come back. I want to 
check on Usa-chan to see if she's alright...

       Seiya woke up. Oh man, I overslept again! What was I on last night? Did I 
try Yaten's attempt to make that wine thingamajig or what? But if I did, 
shouldn't the pain only be in my head instead of all over my body? And why are 
the walls so, so, blank? I thought I pasted them with pictures... 
      "Oh..." someone moaned.
      Huh? Dimly, Seiya sensed Yaten's presence behind her. Yaten? What's she 
doing in my room? Hey, my room's not big enough to fit her in here... How- 
      It clicked.
      "Usako!" Seiya jerked up, only to hunch over the crisp covers of her bed 
in agony. "Itai..." she gasped painfully.
      "Uh..." Yaten slowly pressed her hand weakly to her throbbing temples. 
"That was NOT fun."
      "Yaten! Seiya!" Kakyuu's shout made both occupants of the room wince. 
"You're awake! Sugoi!" The long-haired figure dashed in unceremoniously to 
attempt to smother both of them in a unladylike bear hug.
       Taiki was more restrained, gliding in gracefully. Her sharp violet eyes 
studied the figures carefully. "So, what happened?" she asked, guardly.
       "You make me feel so good about myself," Yaten's sarcastic voice cut in. 
       Seiya grunted her agreement.
       Kakyuu frowned, biting her upper lip nervously. "Seiya? Yaten? What 
happened? Do you guys remember?"
       Both of them were silent for a moment then spoke up at the same time.
       "All I remember was-"
       "There was this ripping sensation-"
       They stopped, looking at each other wearily. "You go first," they both 
said in unison. 
       Taiki privately smothered a laugh at their sudden cooperation. "Yaten, 
why don't you say what you felt first? It looks like it hit you pretty badly..."
       "Okay... well, when that wave hit, there was this huge tearing 
sensation." Yaten grimanced, fliching at the memory, "It felt like when you have 
a broken arm or something set wrong for a long time, and then something huge and 
brutally powerful suddenly decides to break it again and stick it back together 
right this time. Like a correction on a computer error, except the 'computer' 
was the prefabricated pieces of the universe, and the correction is a re-
alignment of the basic energy threads making up the 'computer.' Still, the 
change was pretty slight and very smooth. I don't think anyone, except for star 
energy caliberated people or strong psychics, would have felt that adjustment 
correctly for what it was."
       "Such impressive vocabulary, Yaten," Seiya remarked offhand from her 
position on her back, "I never knew you actually listened to Taiki talk-"
       "Shut up," Yaten growled.
       A sweatdrop formed on Taiki's head. Looks like they're almost back to 
normal again. "What about you Seiya?"
       "Oh, so you do want to hear my side of the story?" Seiya commented, 
"Okay. Don't look that way at me! Geez, well, I didn't feel what Yaten's talking 
about, but-" Seiya hesitated.
       "Spit it out," Yaten advised, still feeling the afteraffects of the power 
wave to try for tact.
       Seiya sighed, but decided not to argue. "I saw Usako. Or Serenity-sama. 
In my mind of course, I don't know why, but we do have this small link to each 
other, though I'm not sure if she can feel it. It was just for a second, but I 
felt that something was horribly wrong. My image of her wasn't too clear, but it 
looked like she was crying and was in some kind of pain... Then I felt this 
sudden surge of enormous energy striking out. It felt like it was blasting me 
into pieces..." Seiya grimanced, "It was not a pleasant experience."
       Kakyuu wrung her hands. Taiki looked grave. Seiya and Yaten just laid 
there, waiting for the pain to subside.
       "Well," Yaten asked," Aren't you going to make some analytical 
proclaimation on what this is all adding up to?"
       Taiki smiled grimly, suddenly looking terrifying.
       "I take it back," Yaten muttered, unnerved.
       "In my opinion, what it adds up to is another trip back down to Earth 
where Eternal Sailor Moon is. From what Yaten is describing, and what Seiya has 
seen, it's self-evident that it has something to do with her," Taiki informed 
Yaten. "However, I don't think all of us have to go. Some of us have to stay to 
moniter the station."
       "I will stay," Kakyuu said softly, "I don't I can be of be much help in 
this matter, unless you think I should..."
       "Iie, Princess. You should stay here," Taiki said, smiling. There was a 
long silence.
       "If you think I'm sitting back here while there's something up with the 
Sailor senshi back on Earth, you're cracked," Seiya stated harshly.
       "I know I will probably have to go to make sense of what's occuring on 
Earth, but Yaten?"
       Yaten gave a disgusted snort. "As much as I would say I want to stay, I 
know my empathic abilities will be of some use. Plus I *AM* getting bored to 
death back here!"
        Taiki frowned. "One of us HAS to stay. We can't leave the Princess 
unguarded!" 
        All three glared at each other.
        "Enough," Kakyuu said, "All of you go."
        "But-" all three of them started.
        "All of you are necessary. I am not defendless by myself, and I know you 
wish to see them again and make sure they're all right. Though I also wish I 
could go, my responsibilites are here, to guard this place in hopes of re-
inhabiting Kinmoku."
        "But-"
        "No buts. This is an order. Go and make sure everything's all right. 
When you're satisfied, come back to me and tell me what has happened. And tell 
the Earth's senshi that I hope to come visit them one day..." Kakyuu murmured 
firmly.
        The Sailor Starlights lasped into silence, not happy at leaving their 
Princess behind, but unwilling to stay and not check on their friends. 
        They prepared to leave for Earth.  

       Luna looked concernedly over the restlessly turning form of Chibi-Usa. 
She moaned softly in her sleep, sweating soaking the sheets of the futon she 
laid in. Her breathing became increasingly rapid.
       "Artimas..." Luna hissed.
       The white cat sprang down from his watchful perch and pressed Chibi-Usa 
still. Or tried to.
       The moaning rose into half-shrieks. The half-cries were gargled words, 
unintelligible. "K'so!" Artimas swore. "Luna!"
       "Transform!" Luna snapped at him. She leapt down, turning into her human 
form in the blink of an eye. She gently held Chibi-Usa's thrashing down, as 
Artimas also transformed into human form. 
       Choked sobbing comtinued, and Chibi-Usa's violent movements nearly threw 
both of them off, for all their supernatural strength.
       "We... can't hold... her!" Artimas gasped. "Wake her up!"
       "Hai...!" Luna returned. She reached out to shook Chibi-Usa awake.
       "'Tousan! 'Kaasan~!!" The heart searing shriek blasted at their sensitive 
ears.
       "Aahh!" Artimas and Luna clamped their hands over their ears, trying to 
muffle the sound and froze when they took a better look at Chibi-Usa.
       Dark chesnut hair streamed in a thick straight wave down the small girl's 
back. Brilliant hazel eyes shone with nerving reacking intelligience as they 
practically glowed in her pale delicate face. 
       "K'so..." Artimas repeated himself. This is the first time she turned 
like this for so long! What's going on in the future to make her out like this?!
       The little girl shuddered and pressed damp hands to her temples, shaking 
her head confusedly. She stared in front of her unseeingly for a breif moment 
then focused on them. Her eyes lit up.
       "Nani?! Luna? Artimas? You guys are ALIVE?!"
       Alive? Luna thought, startled, an uneasy feeling stuck in her gut.
       "Sugoi! I thought that you two died in that latest explosion caused by-" 
A spasm jerked her frame and her features shifted again, resuming the chocolate 
colored hair and sapphire eyes. Chibi-Usa collaspsed back onto the futon, out.
       The two feline-turned humans sat for a moment. "Died-?" Artimas choked.
       "Kami... who did Naru marry in the future to set off this...?" Luna said 
frozenly.
       "Someone we can't let near her," Artimas said grimly. "Not only for 
ourselves, but for others. Whoever Naru married must have triggered off 
something big," Artimas's mind worked on the key word *latest* explosion," and 
terrible to produce *that* future."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

       YAYYY!!! I'm Finished with Part Three!! Yosh! My next goal is to get Part 
Four out by January- *a brick thwacks on target* -but I'll try to make it sooner 
if you'd like. *winces* Itai. I've started a site that's been up since June 
1998. You honestly didn't think I wasn't creative did you? 
        Never mind, don't answer that. Well, if you're interested in taking a 
brief glance at it, it's at http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Square/1385/ I'd love 
it if you'll drop by. There's not a lot up yet, but I'll tryin'. And then, 
perhaps I'll go take a two-week break before working on this story again- *BANG* 
-or maybe not.  
        Now I know some characters are still kind of out of character (geez, 
that sounds corny...). Sorry, I'm trying to work out the kinks. My personal 
opinion is interfering unfortunately. And why didn't the general think 
intelligently as I cast him to be? He'd never dream that Pharaoh 90 got defeated 
by someone of course! ^_^; As to why Unazuki (aka Andrew's little sister) was 
chosen as the first target.... Well, it had to be someone they knew, and you 
couldn't really picture her *brother* screaming do you? 
        Does anyone know what's Rei's shrine is called? Or what the Silver 
Crystal's Japanese name is? Oh! Sorry, but cramming he definations at the end 
again is so *uncool*, it takes a lot of time, so if you want the meaning to the 
Japanese words then go to my fanfic section of the site and there'll be 
explainations there! Thanks for reading my story again. ^_^  I hope you're 
pleased with the results this time, Psycho-chan!

    Source: geocities.com/ironic_balance/works/writtenworks